Parliamentary leader of Chega, André Ventura, expressed that he intends to engage in dialogue with other political parties before any parliamentary leadership announces their voting intentions regarding the inquiry commission. He mentioned a willingness to collaborate and make necessary adjustments to the proposal if other parties are agreeable, avoiding a predetermined voting outcome.
At a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Lisbon, Ventura noted that if the PS and PSD declare opposition, Chega would push for a mandatory inquiry commission into the wildfires, bypassing the need for plenary approval.
He emphasized that this approach is not ideal, as the issue should not be party-centered or seen as Chega’s exclusive interest.
Despite the lack of formal discussions among parliamentary groups on this matter, Ventura is hopeful that talks could occur shortly, potentially leading to a consensus among the three parties.
The Chega leader advocated for the inquiry commission to be initiated promptly to address the public’s fresh memory of the perceived mismanagement in handling the wildfires.
He criticized the PS secretary-general, accusing him of avoiding accountability and perpetuating a cycle of politicization and commercial interest surrounding the wildfires.
Ventura urged the Socialist Party to transcend political maneuvering, highlighting the expectation for the major parties to take action during such critical times.
When questioned about his stance on the Left Bloc’s proposal, Ventura did not provide a direct response. He explained that Chega’s proposal would be voted on first due to its earlier submission, adding a remark about Marina Mortágua.
Regarding the investigation’s timeframe, Ventura pinpointed 2017 as a pivotal year in altering strategies to combat wildfires and increasing investment in fire prevention and control.
He also announced an upcoming proposal for stricter laws against arsonists, seeking to equate them with terrorists and advocate for severe penalties, including life imprisonment if accepted by parliament.
Chega submitted a proposal to parliament today to form an inquiry commission to evaluate fire prevention and management from 2017 onwards and investigate alleged economic interests benefitting from the wildfires.
