“What we see from the PSD and CDS-PP Government, despite using the word dialogue, is exactly the opposite, it is imposition,” criticized Paula Santos, speaking to the Lusa agency, ahead of the debate on the state of the nation scheduled for Thursday in the Assembly of the Republic.
For the communist leader, regardless of the Government using the word dialogue, it is merely “a large propaganda operation and a clear intention to pursue its objectives.”
The deputy expressed her concern that the country’s situation “has been worsening” in several areas, lamenting low wages and pensions, rising prices of essential goods, the housing crisis, and the state of public schools—”where there are shortages of teachers or places for preschool and daycare”—or the “attack on Social Security and workers’ rights.”
Additionally, Paula Santos warned of the “degradation of public services,” particularly pointing to the National Health Service and specifically gynecology and obstetrics emergencies that do not provide “safety and confidence to pregnant women and their families.”
“What we see from this Government is a path of deepening inequalities, injustices,” she criticized, highlighting the contrast with benefits for the banking, energy, and large distribution sectors.
When questioned about whether it is more challenging to oppose in a parliamentary framework where the left is reduced, Paula Santos acknowledged that the political institutional framework of the Assembly of the Republic “has become less favorable in defending the interests of those who work.”
However, the communist emphasized that the PCP “is the party that indeed confronts these options by the Government,” reminding that it was the only party to present a motion of rejection to the executive program, which was ultimately voted down.
Asked about the PCP’s priorities for parliamentary work after the recess, Paula Santos deferred more details to the future but highlighted concerns in the health sector, the public school system at the start of the academic year, or in combating the housing crisis, in addition to raising wages and pensions.
A debate on the state of the nation is scheduled for next Thursday, the first since the XXV Constitutional Government took office, with the presence of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and the rest of the government team.
