Newly proposed, discussed and voted on this Friday, the Livre party outlined a commission of inquiry aimed at investigating the causes of the April 28 blackout. It seeks to evaluate public entities’ preparedness for crises and assess public authorities’ responses.
Jorge Pinto, a deputy from Livre, stated the commission’s goal is not to assign blame, but to discern effective and ineffective actions during the blackout. “We aim to understand what models should be replicated or avoided,” he remarked.
As an example of failure during the blackout, Pinto highlighted that Assembly President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco “could not contact party leaderships,” advocating for changes to address such crises.
“In a scenario of war or invasion, how is it possible that the democracy’s house can’t maintain communication amongst itself or with political parties? This needs to change,” he insisted.
Without enough deputies to mandate an inquiry, Livre requires a simple majority, demanding support from at least two of the three major parties (PSD, Chega, and PS).
However, PSD and Chega have declared they will oppose the inquiry’s establishment, indicating that the proposal will likely be rejected in the Friday vote.
Hugo Soares, PSD’s parliamentary leader, confirmed that social democrats will vote against this proposal.
Chega’s leader, speaking to journalists, also announced his party’s opposition, stating the inquiry into “large-scale crisis readiness following the April 28 blackout” doesn’t “make much sense.”
Before PSD’s position was revealed, Pinto argued that Livre’s reasons should compel parties serious about national preparedness to support the initiative.
Pinto expressed surprise if left and right democratic parties don’t join in improving Portuguese lives and securing the nation’s safety.
He criticized Chega’s stance as “another chapter” of negligence toward citizens, asserting Chega exploits inquiry commissions for self-gain without public benefit. He noted Livre uses such commissions sparingly, aiming to enhance collective life and readiness.
