“It is considered that the Republic’s Government should not directly interfere in the political debate of the regional assemblies to preserve and respect their autonomous and regional nature, as well as the principle of separation between legislative and executive bodies,” stated the email from the government official, read by Paulo Simões, president of the Economy Commission, at the beginning of the meeting held in Ponta Delgada.
The social-democratic deputy mentioned that Miguel Pinto Luz’s office added that the main institutional relationship between the Government of the Republic and the autonomous regions “should primarily occur through the respective regional governments and only exceptionally with the legislative assemblies” of the Azores and Madeira.
The Infrastructure Minister’s hearing had been requested by the Azorean parliament’s Economy Commission following a proposal from Chega, which aimed to evaluate the current sea freight transport model between the mainland and the Azores, due to ongoing “failures” and “delays” in the voyages, which have harmed entrepreneurs and consumers.
Miguel Pinto Luz had previously attended a meeting of the Economy Commission regarding the social mobility subsidy, but this time, he declined the invitation: “we hereby formally decline the invitation made by the Specialized Economy Commission of the Azorean Legislative Assembly.”
The parties with seats on the Economy Commission were dissatisfied with the justification provided by the government official and unanimously expressed their displeasure at the meeting.
“I cannot help but disapprove of this behavior from the minister, who, when it suits him, attends the commission. This position of the minister is surprising. If he could not be present, he could have been represented by someone,” lamented Francisco Lima, a deputy from Chega.
Carlos Silva, a socialist parliamentarian, also criticized the government official’s stance and the “lack of collaboration and interest” from the Infrastructure Minister in “contributing to solving a problem” considered “very relevant,” such as sea freight transport between the mainland and the islands.
“It is regrettable and condemnable. The Azorean parliament, for the sake of institutional relations between the Azores and the Republic, deserves another kind of respect and stance,” pointed out António Lima, a deputy from the Left Bloc.
Even Joaquim Machado, a social-democratic parliamentarian, regretted the attitude and arguments presented by Miguel Pinto Luz, stating that the Republic’s Government “would be much better in its attitude if it responded to the request” from the Azorean Legislative Assembly: “it is an interpretation we do not share.”
