Former Prime Minister José Sócrates has addressed recent political criticisms in a text titled “Regarding Election Promises,” published by CNN Portugal. The text appears to respond, although indirectly, to comments made by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. Over the weekend, Montenegro accused the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party, Pedro Nuno Santos, of making extensive electoral promises similar to those made by Sócrates himself during his tenure.
“In 2005, I promised to make renewable energy a priority, which initiated a revolution that still continues today. That year, I presented the nation with the technological plan, and by the end of the term, the country had a positive technological balance”, wrote José Sócrates.
Sócrates organized his article by listing a series of initiatives undertaken during his administration. These include the closure of schools with fewer than ten students, the implementation of full-time schooling, the Magalhães laptop program, the New Opportunities initiative, the Parque Escolar infrastructure projects, the Simplex program, the elderly solidarity supplement, contracts for the high-speed train (TGV), the strategic and environmental assessment of the new airport, and the social security reform.
“During the first two years (2005 to 2007), the government led the country out of an excessive deficit situation, and within that same period, we achieved the highest economic growth witnessed in those challenging years (2007)”, he noted.
Sócrates emphasized that during the 2009 elections, faced with a global crisis, he promised a new law permitting same-sex marriage, which was fulfilled in the following legislative session.
“Regarding election promises, this is what immediately comes to mind as I write, reserving the right for a more thorough political assessment”, he concluded.
Sócrates concluded by once again rejecting what he considers to be the “historical deception” regarding the financial bailout Portugal was subjected to in 2011.
“Portugal was forced to seek external assistance not due to any lavish government spending policies, but because of the political crisis triggered by the parliamentary rejection of PEC IV,” he insisted.
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