“We know that the majority present is larger but relative, which requires those who lead and govern to have the humility to speak with everyone, while also obligating oppositions to have the same openness to dialogue and to be constructive,” stated Deputy João Almeida.
During a speech closing the debate on the Government’s program in the Assembly of the Republic, the Christian Democrat argued that “leaders must take the initiative, be open to dialogue, and have decision-making capacity,” while opposition parties need to “present alternatives, maintain the same openness to dialogue,” and be coherent “when voting on each solution.”
João Almeida noted that this legislature is different, with the chamber being “much more pleasant.”
“The left, reduced like never before in this parliament, is very pleasant to see from here. Honorable deputies, there is no reason to feel uncomfortable because this reality, so pleasant and visible from here, results from nothing other than the will of the Portuguese people. Therefore, if it was the will of the Portuguese people that made it so, Honorable deputies, that is life,” he highlighted.
The CDS-PP deputy advocated that conditions are in place to change the country, emphasizing that this “opportunity should not be wasted.”
“It is indeed this time we will succeed. […] If this parliament is different, this must be the time,” he reiterated.
João Almeida outlined what he considered to be the main challenges facing the country, starting with “law and order.”
“The Portuguese want to live in a country where the law is equal for everyone, has to be respected by everyone, and as a consequence, is a country with order. At CDS, we have always fought for this; we will continue to fight because to have development, to have social mobility, to have the capacity to socially develop our country, we cannot do it if the law is not respected and if there is no order. And yes, this starts with security, continues with justice, and is very important in immigration policy,” he argued.
The centrist called for “a lighter and more efficient State,” considering that “for Portugal to develop, it is often necessary for the State to step aside,” and also advocated for a reduction in taxes and “rigor in the allocation of certain social benefits.”
“And the Portuguese also wonder if this is the time. Is this the time we will take these decisive steps for the country to be more competitive and fair? And if that is the question, from the CDS side, from the Democratic Alliance, from the Government, the clear answer is ‘it is indeed this time,'” he stated.
In his speech, João Almeida also declared that the Portuguese want stability and not “to keep having elections continuously.”
