“It has been 40 years of illusion, deception, 40 years of transforming this country into a tourist ‘resort’ and a professional school that trains, and trains well, doctors, nurses, engineers, electricians, plumbers, these people to export to other countries so they can obtain highly qualified labor and boost their economies,” lamented Paulo Raimundo.
Speaking to journalists in Avis, in the district of Portalegre, on the sidelines of introducing the coalition’s candidate for the municipality in this year’s local elections, Raimundo expressed regret that during speeches marking the 40th anniversary of EU accession, “not even a word” was mentioned regarding the promises made at that time that have not been fulfilled over the years.
The communist leader referred to the promises made 40 years ago that Portuguese salaries would match those in other European countries. He further commented that EU membership also “destroyed” the national productive fabric, fishing fleet, agriculture, and public services.
“The speeches were all very beautiful, full of splendor, but completely unreal for our country, within an EU where today, and not a word was said about this either, where today we face profound cynicism and hypocrisy from a group of states that cannot take a single action, immediately and in particular regarding the ongoing genocide in Palestine,” he stated.
“The degree of hypocrisy and cynicism of the EU is unbelievable,” he added.
Recalling the country’s issues in areas like health, education, and housing, Paulo Raimundo commented that “we could have done more” over 40 years, lamenting that the country has lost its sovereignty over the years.
“The country lost sovereignty to define its own path, lost sovereignty to invest where it deemed necessary, lost its rings and its fingers,” he lamented.
The communist leader presented Manuel Coelho today as the CDU candidate for the Avis City Council. Coelho, 57, was president of the municipality from 2013 to 2021.
The Avis City Council is considered a “communist stronghold” in the Portalegre district, as, since the first local elections after April 25, 1976, it has always been governed by the PCP or by coalitions led by this party.
Currently, the municipality is led by communist Nuno Silva, who is serving his third and final term.
In addition to the CDU, the candidacy of logistics and export manager Ricardo Pereiro, 42, has also been announced by the Citizens’ Group for Avis (GCA) movement.
The current municipal executive consists of three CDU members, one from the PS, and one from the GCA.
This year’s local elections are expected to take place between September and October.
