“We established legislation, particularly for a crucial factor in the independence of people with disabilities, which is personal assistants. A pilot project was launched with a thousand participants. However, the pilot project has concluded, and the government has done nothing further. We are left with legislation that was created but remains in limbo,” criticized Mariana Mortágua.
Mortágua made these remarks on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon, during the “March for Independent Living,” an event occurring today in eight cities across the country to commemorate the European Independent Living Day.
The Left Bloc leader was referring to the “Independent Living Support Model — Personal Assistance” (MAVI) program, approved by parliament in 2017. This program aims to provide personal assistance to individuals with disabilities or incapacities through Independent Living Support Centers (CAVI) to facilitate daily activities such as feeding and mobility.
The pilot project ran from 2018 to 2023, with a regulation published in 2023, retroactive to the previous year.
“One of the biggest issues affecting people with disabilities is the state’s inability to provide conditions for autonomy, leading to a segment of the population being diminished, treated as if they lack autonomy, institutionalized unnecessarily, and deprived of leading an autonomous life and making daily choices,” Mortágua warned.
Accompanied by former BE deputy Jorge Falcato Simões, whose motor difficulties prompted the parliament to install a lift platform for wheelchair-bound deputies to access the podium, Mortágua rejected the notion of a “charitable welfare state.” She advocated for “a state that includes, provides autonomy, and independence.”
Mortágua took the opportunity to criticize right-wing parties, asserting that it is inconsistent to “treat the state as a target to be dismantled” while claiming to desire an inclusive and equal society.
“The participation of everyone under equal conditions in society requires a state that ensures justice, and that is what we are here to demand, conditions of justice,” she argued.
Mariana Mortágua urged for the law to be expedited and “move forward.”
At a march also attended by PCP and Livre, the BE leader was questioned about whether the left-wing vote is currently more fragmented. She responded, “The most important thing is that the more people fight for everyone’s rights and equality, the better.”
“When we have an extreme right in parliament that has no problem insulting anyone, dismissing the fight for the rights of people with disabilities; when we have a government that disrespects the legislation we managed to pass and does not honor the programs and law for independent living; when our investment is far below the European average and if we want to talk about inclusion, equality, people’s rights, independence, and autonomy, we have to take these demands very seriously,” Mortágua argued.
Asked about the fact that PSD President and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro admitted to a possible extraordinary increase in pensions, Mortágua claimed that pension increases have been used as a “campaign tool.”
The Left Bloc member considered it more important to “address Social Security from a sustainability standpoint” and establish rules ensuring that those with 20 years of contributions receive a pension above the poverty line.
