“What should be a guiding document for inclusive national public policies is merely repeating vague and general formulas,” criticized Chega/Açores.
In a press release, the party stated that the content of the document lacks “structural measures for sustainable development” of the Azores and offers “no new proposals” in areas such as air and sea transport, agriculture and fisheries, security resources in the Azores, courts, and the Azorean University.
The party also highlighted other neglected areas, such as the Law of Finances for Autonomous Regions, which requires “urgent revision,” and the “settlement of the State’s debt to the Region concerning VAT reimbursement, which exceeds 200 million euros.”
Led by José Pacheco, Chega/Açores reiterated the need for a national strategic plan to defend the Azorean sea through enhanced military presence and maritime authority.
“The new program of the Republic’s Government does not address the real issues of the Azores. It ignores demands, marginalizes productive sectors, abandons infrastructure, and promotes subsidy dependence as the only social response. It treats the Azores as a peripheral territory without voice or strength,” the statement reads.
The program of the XXV Constitutional Government, following the May 18 elections won by the AD (PSD/CDS) coalition, was delivered to the Assembly of the Republic today by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and will be debated on Tuesday and Wednesday.
