“In democracy, matters are addressed in an open, democratic debate, with the ability to argue what is best for the autonomous region [of Madeira] and for the country as a whole, for the Republic,” stated José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.
Aguiar-Branco spoke following a meeting with the President of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, held at Quinta Vigia in Funchal, during a two-day visit to the autonomous region, which concludes today.
“The Constitution itself provides for its moments of revision,” he said, noting that it recognizes the dynamics of societies over the years and “defines the periodicity, the form, and the mode of such revision, with no dogmas allowed.”
“The impetus for revisions, notably the constitutional one, must come from the parliamentary groups and the deputies,” he emphasized, viewing this as “a normality in democracy.”
José Pedro Aguiar-Branco’s comments followed the Madeira Government’s (PSD/CDS-PP) intention to push forward with a constitutional revision project, which the regional executive leader described as “bold” and forthcoming.
“It’s not a conjunctural change, nor for an electoral cycle, but a change to ensure another 50 years of autonomy prosperity,” Miguel Albuquerque declared without providing specifics.
At the end of the meeting with Aguiar-Branco, the Madeiran leader stressed that the Regional Finance Law needs “urgent revision” so that the State assumes its “constitutional obligations” concerning the regions’ additional healthcare, education, civil protection, and transport costs.
Miguel Albuquerque, who has led the regional executive since 2015, labeled the Regional Finance Law as “outdated and unfair,” asserting that, 50 years after the establishment of autonomy, a milestone to be celebrated in 2026, it is crucial to ensure that the autonomous regions “have the necessary democratic powers in the assemblies to secure their development without jeopardizing national unity.”
“In the 21st century and with global changes occurring, we need tools to ensure Madeira’s development,” he insisted, adding, “We cannot remain tied to principles that are now completely outdated.”
Additionally, the President of the Assembly of the Republic highlighted that autonomy is part of the country’s democratic history.
“It’s a national value we should celebrate not only at the regional level but also in Lisbon, at the national level,” he said.
Aguiar-Branco also addressed the potential creation of a passenger ferry link between Madeira and the mainland, following a news report that the Republic’s Government has initiated a study to assess its economic-financial viability.
On the same day, the leader of Chega/Madeira, Miguel Castro, challenged the President of the Assembly of the Republic in a statement to clarify whether Madeirans “deserve a regular ferry link or not.”
“Undoubtedly, they do deserve it, as this reality cannot be overlooked,” stated Aguiar-Branco, noting the necessity to await the government’s study results.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic concludes a two-day visit to Madeira, which included visits to social and academic institutions and marked the 50-year anniversaries of regional autonomies in a session held at the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
This afternoon, Aguiar-Branco is scheduled to visit the Casa de Saúde de São João de Deus in Funchal, followed by a meeting with students at the University of Madeira, at the College of Jesuits.
The visit’s last planned activity is a tour of the ‘Project Casa Esperança,’ by the IPSS Associação de Desenvolvimento Comunitário do Funchal ‘Garouta do Calhau,’ also in Funchal.
