During a visit to the National Agriculture Fair in Santarém, Paulo Raimundo expressed concerns that the true aim of the new governmental structure is not to address “the main problems of the country.”
“It is not to respond to issues of housing, health, or social security. It is so that the State further serves the interests of those who consider themselves owners of the country, namely the 19 economic groups no one talks about, for whom there are always perks, tax benefits, and aids,” stated the communist leader.
Raimundo argued that state reform should play an active role in resolving structural problems such as job insecurity, low wages, the lack of housing, and the need to strengthen the public nursery network, indicating that with this government, “that is not what is at stake.”
“We will continue to fight for a state reform that addresses the life of the majority,” he assured.
During the visit, coinciding with Portugal Day on June 10, the PCP’s Secretary-General also emphasized the importance of the agricultural sector for food sovereignty and national development, criticizing the European Union’s policy.
“There is an unjustified and deeply unfair pressure on our agriculture (…) This fair shows that the country can and should produce more food,” he stated.
Raimundo also criticized the increase in expenditure planned for the Defense sector, arguing that state resources should be directed elsewhere.
“Portugal does not need to spend money it does not have on war. It needs investment in housing, health, agriculture, infrastructure,” he said, asserting that in the Defense sector, priorities should be the rehabilitation of the Arsenal do Alfeite and the enhancement of military careers.
The communist leader also highlighted the country’s social reality, marked by “two million people in poverty, including 300 thousand children,” considering that in this scenario, “spending money on war” is a path the PCP does not follow.
“If it is necessary to amend the budget to invest in wages, pensions, health, housing, to lift children out of poverty, we are open to all these efforts. Everything else is just a smokescreen,” he declared.
When questioned about the party’s future following the loss of a deputy in the last elections, Paulo Raimundo assured that the PCP will continue to intervene “on what matters in people’s lives.”
“This is not solved by talk, it is solved by concrete measures. And that is what we will continue to do,” he concluded.
