Presidential candidate António José Seguro advocated on the podcast Soberania that an agreement across generations is necessary to prevent wildfires, emphasizing that the goal should not only be to improve firefighting but also to significantly enhance prevention measures to avert such incidents.
The socialist suggested several steps to prevent tragedies like the current situation in the months of September and October, including the implementation of “electronic bracelets” for arsonists already identified by authorities.
Seguro further highlighted that the government must ensure a “response to people who have lost their homes and belongings,” stressing the need for an efficient process that bypasses the usual bureaucratic hurdles, enabling those affected to restore their lives and feel supported by the state.
“These tragedies occur in rural areas, in the country’s interior, where people already feel neglected. Words alone are insufficient; concrete actions are needed,” he stated, referencing past events in Pedrógão Grande or Serra da Estrela to illustrate the gap between promises and actual aid implementation.
In a forward-looking approach, the former PS secretary-general called for the immediate launch of tenders, especially for aerial resources to combat future fires, along with investment in forest management.
“We need to focus on two areas,” he stated. “First, the type of trees. There are fast and slow-burning trees, and we should invest in the latter to halt fire spread. Secondly, land clearing is crucial. In the interior, economic conditions prevent many from maintaining their land, and many landowners are unknown. A possible solution could be the creation of land banks managed by municipalities, allowing owners to transfer their land at no cost for more organized management and economic incentives,” he proposed.
“The State is opening many cracks, losing authority in a certain sense”
Seguro also addressed the Constitutional Court’s rejection of the new immigration law, attributing the issue to the haste and lack of thorough consultation during its drafting rather than the court itself.
In a potential presidential role, he emphasized the importance of cautioning the Assembly of the Republic about such consequences, asserting that “the State is opening many cracks, retreating in many sectors, and losing authority.”
“The President should focus on fostering necessary commitments and agreements that strengthen our democratic institutions’ foundations, ensuring a trust-based relationship between citizens and democracy,” he explained.
When asked about his ability to reach all people if elected, despite his democratic leftist background, Seguro assured that his “role is to bring hope where there is fear.”
“There is much fear and insecurity in Portuguese society today. I present myself as a candidate open to all democrats, progressives, and humanists, excluding no one. To me, all Portuguese are equal in rights and duties, and my guiding values are liberty and the rule of law,” he concluded.
