“Two months ago, I took an oath. It was an oath of loyalty. I will not betray that oath of loyalty by resigning or considering resignation just two months later,” stated Maria Lúcia Amaral during a statement on the situation of wildfires in the continental territory at the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) headquarters in Carnaxide, Oeiras.
The minister was responding to a question about whether she felt she had the necessary characteristics to lead the Ministry of Internal Administration.
Maria Lúcia Amaral further explained that she did not visit the areas affected by the fires due to following the “doctrine established in 2017”.
“It has been a peaceful doctrine since then, and we do everything to avoid harm. The visit to the field by authorities, such as political authorities, myself, or the State Secretary for Civil Protection, would not align with the principle of never causing harm,” she noted.
The Minister of Internal Administration expressed that the “adversity does not show signs of leaving tomorrow,” and therefore, the government has decided to extend the alert situation due to the fires until August 17, Sunday.
Maria Lúcia Amaral announced today at ANEPC the extension of the alert situation across the continental territory until Sunday due to the heightened risk of fire.
