“Political stability is a common good, to be protected by both the majority of the Government and the opposition. It is an important means, but not an end in itself. It must be at the service of solving people’s concrete problems, addressing the country’s structural issues, and bringing it closer to the most advanced countries in Europe,” states the introduction to the program of the XXV Constitutional Government, presented in parliament today.
The introduction indicates that “the result of the latest elections was clear” and that the political project of the AD (PSD/CDS-PP coalition) “strengthened its legitimacy and expanded its parliamentary majority.”
“To receive a greater majority from the people is a source of added legitimacy and responsibility. It cannot be a source of arrogance but a reason to cultivate political humility, democratic dialogue, and a sense of state,” it stated.
The Government assures that “the opposition will be heard, with the respect that democratic representation demands” and that social dialogue “will continue to be regarded as a source of reformist, balanced solutions based on broad social support.”
“Possible convergences will be sought in good faith, never compromising the clarity of the choices that the Portuguese approved on the past May 18,” it is noted.
The introduction of the program of the second PSD/CDS-PP executive, led by Luís Montenegro, asserts that “receiving a greater majority disallows concessions to immobility and missed opportunities.”
“Instead, it requires evidence of responsibility, transformative capacity, and reformist spirit,” it declared.
The Government warns that “the present time does not tolerate bureaucratic dormancy,” but demands an executive “capable of planning, deciding, and executing.”
It then explains the Government’s decision to include in the program, before the traditional sectoral areas, a new chapter titled Transformative Agenda, which covers ten priority axes for the next four years, including State Reform, income increase, emphasis on security or controlled immigration, alongside reinforcing defense.
“The Transformative Agenda condenses the Government’s reformist vision and outlines the major axes of change that will guide the next four years. At a time when citizens demand more than words, this Agenda ambitiously assumes the central goals of the mandate,” the Government remarks.
In the introduction of the program, the executive also highlights that the election results of May 18 reflected another “clear desire: for more political stability.”
“The popular will for responsibility, a sense of state, and political stability is not, however, solely directed at the Government and its majority. It also calls upon the Oppositions, which should respond with similar humility, a spirit of dialogue, and readiness for reforms that address the concrete problems of the Portuguese people,” it argues.
The program of the XXV Constitutional Government, resulting from the legislative elections of May 18 won by the AD (PSD/CDS) coalition, was presented today at the Assembleia da República by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Carlos Abreu Amorim.
The Government program was approved in the Council of Ministers on Thursday and will be debated in the Assembleia da República on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The PCP has already announced it will present a motion of rejection, but the communist initiative is certain to be voted down, as besides the PSD and CDS, it will not have the support of Chega and the PS.
