Speaking to journalists at the Assembly of the Republic, Paulo Raimundo expressed concerns over “signs that are not exactly very positive” at the start of the new legislature, specifically regarding some parties’ cooperation with the right-wing and others’ evasion of responsibility by allowing this cooperation.
When asked if he was referring to the PS as the party “giving a hand to the right,” he remarked that just as the PCP was accused of “presenting a motion to reject a program it did not know,” others have chosen to support a program they are also unfamiliar with.
“In this case, it was the PS. [This is a stance] that once again, for the second consecutive year, results in yielding to the PSD and the Government, submitting to that policy while simultaneously freeing Chega from its responsibilities,” he criticized.
Raimundo emphasized that this has been “exactly the strategy followed since last year” and “for many years now” and noted that “the consequences are evident.”
“It is the wrong choice, and therefore the PS will also have to assume its responsibilities,” he underscored.
The PCP General Secretary was referring to the fact that both PS President Carlos César and the party’s leadership candidate, José Luís Carneiro, have indicated plans to support the AD Government program.
Regarding the motion to reject the Government’s program already announced by the PCP, Paulo Raimundo reiterated that his party holds “no illusions about what is to come,” anticipating that the administration will intensify the policy it implemented over the past year.
“What we need to ask is whether, regardless of the number of deputies we have, an incorrect policy, which neither meets the needs of the people nor the country, can pass unnoticed in parliament,” he stated.
The PCP leader assured that such policies “will not go unnoticed” with his party, and he intends to “force everyone to express their positions clearly regarding this policy.”
“We have to fight and confront this policy as much as possible. It’s crucial for everyone to clarify their stance. It’s pointless to think that after the misuse of Social Security funds, these issues will be resolved; it’s not after the complete dismantling of the National Health Service (SNS) that we will solve this problem. Now is the time to confront and clarify intentions,” he remarked.
Regarding the party’s priorities for this legislature, Paulo Raimundo argued that intervention is needed on wages, pensions, access to housing, the SNS, for peace, or to recognize the State of Palestine.
“We said during the election campaign that what matters is people’s lives. If people’s lives are important, it is on their issues that action is needed, and that is our commitment,” he stated.
