Concerns among the sole representatives elected to the Assembly of the Republic are common: Health and Housing.
In an interview with RTP, just hours before the State of the Nation debate, Mariana Mortágua (Bloco de Esquerda), Inês de Sousa Real (People-Animals-Nature), and Filipe Sousa (Together for the People) agree that the country’s biggest problem at the moment lies in Health – with emergency rooms closing, an emergency medical service that seems unable to adequately respond, and maternal and child care failing to meet demands.
Mortágua argues that systematically poor decisions have been made in Health, rendering the service “worse and more expensive” and criticizes the prime minister’s choice to keep Ana Paula Martins at the helm. Questioned about the minister’s continuation, the Bloco de Esquerda coordinator responds, “there are no conditions whatsoever.”
Inês de Sousa Real echoes the sentiment, stating that Ana Paula Martins “lacks political conditions” to stay in her role. She emphasizes that “the time has passed” to blame the previous socialist government for structural health issues.
Regarding Housing, both deputies seem to agree. Mortágua claims there is not “a single measure known that manages to control Housing prices” and asserts that the Government “does not even try” to solve problems in the sector.
The PAN deputy highlights the situation in the Talude neighborhood in Loures, which she considers symptomatic of the Housing issues.
On his part, Filipe Sousa, recently arrived in parliament representing JPP, is less critical of the Government’s actions. He acknowledges “failures in Health and Housing” but also notices “a willingness of the executive to try to resolve the issues,” and therefore, will give the executive the “benefit of the doubt” for now.
The State of the Nation debate takes place this Wednesday, starting at 15:00. The prime minister will begin the session with an opening speech, followed by the parties. The last word in the debate will also belong to the Government.
Health is expected to be the main topic of discussion during the State of the Nation.
