“These are provocations. They reveal reactionary, xenophobic, racist views that shame the country. Someone who seeks to be President of the Republic cannot exhibit such attitudes, which are not only a national disgrace but also risk becoming an international embarrassment,” stated António Filipe in Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island.
The presidential candidate supported by the PCP began a two-day visit to the Azores, participating in a dinner-conference organized by the Angra do Heroísmo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also has scheduled meetings with various entities on São Miguel Island.
Following a meeting with the Republic’s representative for the Azores, Pedro Catarino, António Filipe commented on the posters of presidential candidate André Ventura, leader of Chega, stating they are unconstitutional. He claimed the intention is “to provoke repeatedly to keep himself at the center of attention.”
“I believe we should not fall into this. Such provocations and others that will surely follow until election day will receive more disdain than attention from my side,” he said.
The controversy centers on two campaign posters by André Ventura bearing the phrases “This is not Bangladesh” and “Gypsies must obey the law.”
Eight Roma associations have announced plans to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor and are considering a legal action for the removal of the advertisements.
When asked whether the Public Prosecutor should intervene, António Filipe remarked that “the Public Prosecutor will act as it deems appropriate within its competencies,” emphasizing the “separation of powers.”
“The Public Prosecutor will naturally ensure compliance with the law, and I am confident it will act within the law’s terms,” he stated.
The candidate endorsed by the PCP emphasized his desire to be “a President of the Republic determined to uphold and enforce the Constitution in its entirety, including the citizens’ rights, which are far from being fulfilled.”
“There is significant dissatisfaction among people who, when confronting the life they lead with the rights the Constitution grants them, notice a huge difference,” he warned.
In the Azores, one of the country’s poorest regions, he noted that “the Republic must pay great attention to regional development” and adopt a support policy “that recognizes the problems of insularity.”
Regarding regional demands for strengthening autonomous powers, António Filipe asserted that “autonomy has potential yet to be explored.”
“I believe the autonomy of the autonomous regions is a significant achievement of Portuguese democracy (…) It should be defended, and I think the steps taken in the 2004 constitutional revision were positive and very consensual in advancing regional autonomy,” he noted.
The candidate further stated “there are principles not yet fully explored” and that a new constitutional revision on this matter is unnecessary.
“I do not believe it is a priority for the country or the autonomous regions to engage in successive constitutional revisions,” he emphasized.
António Filipe also opposed the abolition of the Republic’s representative position, a stance supported by several parties in the Azores.
“This solution was agreed upon consensually, and I believe it is a good solution. I do not support any changes to this role. It makes sense for it to exist, and I think the form adopted in the 2004 revision is appropriate,” he explained.
