President Marcelo to hear all seven parties next Tuesday
With Madeira’s PSD government once again on life-support, President Marcelo has called all parties with representation in the regional parliament to Belém. The understanding is that he wants to “hear” each one before deciding whether or not to call new elections.
To this end, he has published the agenda for the hearings next Tuesday (January 7). First up at 1pm will be the PSD social democrats, whose increasingly unpopular leader Miguel Albuquerque stolidly refuses to make way for another candidate; then half an hour later it is the time for PS Socialists (determined to topple Albuquerque’s hold on power), at 2pm it is time for JPP (Juntos Pelo Povo), 2.30pm will see CHEGA, 3pm the CDS-PP (traditionally PSD allies), 3.30pm Iniciativa Liberal and finally at 4pm PAN (People Animals Nature).
All this comes after President Marcelo’s representative in Madeira, Ireneu Barreto, admitted to being unable to find a solution to the government of the region.
Such is the determination of the majority of parties in opposition to oust Miguel Albuquerque and his administration – a number of whom, including Albuquerque, are ‘defendants’ in probes into possible cronyism/ corruption – that new elections, the third in less than two years, appear to be the only answer.
Ireneu Barreto has already suggested March 9 as the most convenient date (as there are time bars due to the last government only having taken office mid-2024). It remains to be seen what Marcelo decides after Tuesday’s hearings.
Meantime, Madeira’s Socialist leader Paulo Cafôfô has wasted no time telling reporters that elections are the only solution, and that he is prepared for ‘convergances’ with other parties in order to give Madeira the kind of leadership it deserves.
Readers may recall the dismal stories of how Miguel Albuquerque was seen to deal with the devastation and heartache of the summer fires this year. Paulo Cafôfô has been calling for his resignation for longer than most people can remember.
“The Socialist Party is ready. I have also prepared myself over the years to be president of the (regional) government”, he told a press conference today.
Miguel Albuquerque’s latest government was toppled following a motion of censure presented by CHEGA on December 17. It is the first time in Madeira’s history that such a thing has happened. According to all those who approved the motion, the year is ending just as it began “with instability and uncertainty”, hence why they are all calling for new elections.
Cafôfô said today he hopes that 2025 will be a year of hope and change; definitely not more of the same. He stressed the era of Albuquerque is over, whether Albuquerque cares to realise it or not. Madeira needs a “new time now, and this new time can only be with the Socialist Party”, he told Lusa.
