During the conclusion of the debate on the program of the XXV Constitutional Government, which began on Tuesday in parliament, sole deputy Mariana Mortágua questioned the differences between the document presented last year by the previous PSD/CDS-PP executive and the one that will be voted on today.
“The Prime Minister is the same, the ministers are practically the same, the Minister of Health, in particular, is unfortunately the same,” criticized the leftist. She also lamented that the housing policy remains unchanged, believing that prices will continue to rise.
Mortágua continued, highlighting what she perceives as “exactly the same confusion between reforming the State and weakening it,” as well as “increasing the quality of public services and downgrading the State.”
According to the leftist, who had already announced her support for the communist motion rejecting the government’s program, two areas change in the government’s plan, starting with labor, in which the executive “no longer hides its intentions.”
“The main proposals of this government for work involve transforming regular wage increases into sporadic bonuses that do not pay Social Security contributions, which destroy careers and the lifetime contributions of pensioners. Or increasing vacation days provided workers forego their salaries,” she criticized.
Mortágua intended to address the second “major change” in the document, beginning with a warning about the “radicalization” originating from far-right groups, but this criticism was left unfinished as her speaking time expired.
Mariana Mortágua had two minutes and thirty seconds, similar to the sole deputies of Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP) and PAN, and ended up not completing her speech.
Nevertheless, she remained at the podium for a few minutes while the president of the parliament, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, repeatedly stated that her time had expired.
“The time for the deputy has ended, I cannot allocate more time than that allowed by the [Assembly of the Republic] Rules,” Aguiar-Branco warned.
Mortágua remained at the podium amid various protests from the Chega bench, eventually returning to her seat in the chamber.
While criticisms emanated from the bloc led by André Ventura, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco made a point: “The votes of the Portuguese are exactly the same. Whether voting for Chega, BE, or any other party. When asking for respect for our voters, we must also demand respect for others’ voters.”
“There are no first-class or second-class Portuguese, and therefore, I request that this is also reflected in the relationship of the deputies who represent part of the Portuguese people,” he added.
