“The measures I saw announced yesterday [Friday] seem to me to be positive steps, steps in the right direction. Especially, for example, a measure I myself suggested before the summer, which is to create a regional emergency service in Setúbal. If there are three hospitals that can’t sustain an obstetrics emergency service, then they should be merged. It seems like common sense to me“, stated Marques Mendes to journalists in Guimarães, district of Braga.
The presidential candidate urged caution and emphasized that it’s important to see if the proposed measures will effectively address the specific problems faced by populations.
“But beware, I am very cautious in these matters: seeing is believing. They can be positive measures on paper, but then not reach people; they can be very interesting when announced, but then not result in concrete outcomes. Therefore, I recommend caution to see if these measures will indeed solve specific problems. They may be positive in the announcement, but from announcement to practice, it’s often a long road. So, it is better to wait and see, and seeing is believing,” said Marques Mendes.
The presidential candidate attended the inauguration session of Ricardo Araújo as president of the Guimarães City Hall, who won the local elections for the Coalition Together for Guimarães (PSD/CDS-PP) with an absolute majority, ending 36 years of PS dominance.
Marques Mendes was also questioned about the protests planned for today in cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Braga, initiated by historian and university professor Raquel Varela, against social, economic, and political injustices under the slogan “Don’t Throw Burkas Over Our Eyes”.
“I respect everyone’s opinion. If this legislation [foreigners’ law] was something to criticize or humiliate immigrants, I think that’s wrong. Now, asking whether I am for or against the burka is like Antonio Barreto says today in [newspaper] Público. I am firmly against it. I think it is the greatest form of humiliation for women. It is worth reading Antonio Barreto today in Público. A man of the left who doesn’t understand why people on the left still accept the issue of the burka,” responded the presidential candidate.
Marques Mendes reiterated that “the burka in any civilized country is a violation of women’s dignity”.
“Therefore, I am against it. Now, I don’t want to make this a fight against immigrants. Others might want to do that, but in my case, it’s not,” declared the former PSD leader.
Regarding the foreigners’ law, the former television commentator stated he would only comment once it is voted on in Parliament.
“I can neither should I have a definitive opinion about the law until there is a law. And there will only be a law in principle next Tuesday. I think any President of the Republic who says, in the abstract, I will veto that law, or I will promulgate that law, is not a sensible President of the Republic, but a hasty one. It’s everything I don’t want to be: neither reckless nor hasty. When the law exists, and I hope it does, I will speak out,” affirmed Marques Mendes.
Regardless of the law, the presidential candidate considers it an “act of recklessness” for a President of the Republic to express an opinion on it without there being a law.
“I saw an opponent of mine, regarding changes to labor laws, say: if there are changes in labor laws, I will veto. But without there being a law yet? There isn’t. Without knowing if it will go in direction A or direction B, for someone to speak without a law existing yet, it’s not an example of wisdom or responsibility,” advocated Marques Mendes.
