“I am very pleased that the current Government has on its agenda to reform the State and many aspects that Portuguese society has felt necessary for many years. Now, we need to see the extent and depth and whether the reforms will be carried out or are just political marketing,” stated Henrique Gouveia e Melo to journalists after participating in the Luso-Angolan Young Entrepreneurs Forum in Porto.
When asked if he agrees with the creation of the Ministry of State Reform, the retired admiral emphasized that the practical implementation of the reform is the responsibility of the executive power.
“I don’t have to say whether I view [the creation of the ministry] as a good thing or not. What matters is that this reform is implemented, that is, it moves from words and intentions,” he reinforced.
In this regard, the future President of the Republic may have an important role, not only in supporting these reforms but also in contributing, in some way, by focusing public attention on the importance of the reform, stressed the former Chief of the Naval Staff.
“I believe there is a strong desire to reform the State and contribute to the development of a new economy, and you can count on me in this process because, after all, this is one of my themes, and therefore, I will be very aligned with the Government that seeks to do this,” he asserted.
In his opinion, it is favorable to have a Government announcing that State reform is one of the important themes of its governance.
“But now, we must see exactly what we are going to reform. Do we reform justice or not? Do we reform bureaucracy or not?” he questioned.
For Gouveia e Melo, State reform cannot just involve minor simplifications; it must be something much more profound.
All Portuguese have long yearned for this reform, he considered.
The president of the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation, Gonçalo Saraiva Matias, takes on the role of Deputy Minister and Minister of State Reform, a new position in the new Government led by Luís Montenegro.
