“The Portuguese justice system, particularly in two areas, is profoundly ill. Not in all, but in the criminal area, especially the large proceedings and the actions of the Public Ministry, and in the economic, administrative, and fiscal justice areas, it is profoundly ill,” he declared.
Addressing specifically the “administrative and fiscal justice,” the candidate supported by PSD and CDS-PP (parties backing the current government) described as “absolutely indefensible not only what is happening but also what is not being done by the governments.”
“The government of António Costa spent eight years doing nothing in this area, and the Montenegro government has also done nothing in a year and a half. I hope it will act, but so far it has not,” criticized Luís Marques Mendes, stating that “it is absolutely lamentable because all the diagnostics have been made.”
Presidential candidate for the elections next January, he was the guest speaker at a lunch debate today hosted by the Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP), held at a hotel in Lisbon.
Responding to a question from former Minister of Economy António Pires de Lima, Luís Marques Mendes asserted that “there are several solutions.”
“It’s not that difficult, but absolutely necessary. A person or company waiting for a decision in a tax dispute for six, seven, eight, nine, or ten years, this is not justice in any form,” he criticized.
The presidential candidate advocated for a “broad understanding, a regime agreement” in this area and announced again that, if elected, his first Council of State will be devoted to judicial reform.
“The Council of State is a crucial body to help bridge positions. Only those who have never been there or lack any political experience in Portugal undervalue the Council of State. Issues of great importance have been resolved at the Council of State,” he indicated.
The social-democrat argued that “negotiations are conducted privately, not in the public square,” and expressed his intention “to arbitrate negotiations, for instance, in this field of justice, because otherwise, no agreement will be reached.”
“It is evident that, for different reasons, PS and PSD have been heavily constrained in justice matters for quite some time. So, if we let things run unchecked, there will never be an agreement on justice matters, but it is among the most urgent agreements needed,” he insisted.
Marques Mendes emphasized the need to “combat the sluggishness of justice” and the “dilatory maneuvers,” reduce costs, asserting that “justice today is extremely expensive,” and also “combat this excessive corporatism present in the Public Ministry, which is utterly unacceptable.”
In his speech, the candidate argued the country should aim for a “reformist and transformative ambition” and set “bolder economic objectives.”
“The idea that reforms are only made when we face financial difficulties is utterly absurd. Reforms are made when we have a rapidly changing world, where it is clear that transformations are indispensable on a European and global scale,” he stated.
He also discussed the President of the Republic’s role, warning that when a head of state “wants everything to be important and prioritized, nothing gets done properly,” and advocated for setting priorities.
“A President of the Republic must build and then maintain a high level of credibility to have some authority in relations, whether with citizens, parties, or governments,” and “should not trivialize interventions because, at some point, they are not heard,” remarked Luís Marques Mendes.
