The political party led by Élvio Sousa has criticized Gouveia e Melo for opposing the autonomy claimed by Madeira’s residents, describing a proposed maritime line as unnecessary. In a statement released today, Sousa expressed his discontent, noting there are no coincidences and lamenting that the admiral violated the constitutional principle of territorial cohesion and combating social and economic inequalities. He suggests this stance is a failure for someone aspiring to the presidency.
Élvio Sousa remarked that “this admiral revealed himself as a true anti-autonomist, and we already have too many of such people,” referencing Gouveia e Melo’s comments made to Antena 1 during a three-day visit to Madeira.
Sousa criticized that instead of presenting solutions for air and sea mobility issues, such as the urgent return of the maritime line and revising the mobility subsidy, which would prevent Madeirans from becoming guarantors of the state, Gouveia e Melo stated that the maritime line is not justified. This line is considered crucial for reducing living costs, and Sousa accuses Gouveia e Melo of siding with the economic group that opposes the ferry’s return to avoid competition, especially in cargo.
According to Sousa, the presidential candidate “insulted Madeirans and Porto-Santenses” and demonstrated “profound ignorance of the challenges facing island populations.”
The JPP’s secretary-general emphasized that it is “unacceptable to promote the continuation of isolation by denying mobility alternatives, which compromises the economic and social development of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.”
The JPP also criticized the admiral for committing a “second affront by advocating for the continuation of the office of the Representative of the Republic.” They questioned how former Regional Government President Alberto João Jardim (PSD) could publicly support this candidacy, which they deem the “embodiment of pure centralism.”
