The PSD, CDS-PP, PPM coalition that won the regional elections without a working majority in the Azores a month ago has finally been sworn in today, and is very much as it was (in terms of ministers) before being forced into ‘snap elections’. It now has two weeks to present its ‘government programme’, over which debate cannot last longer than three days. Then, any parliamentary group can, in theory, vote AGAINST the programme, and if there is no majority countering such a vote, the archipelago could once more be plunged into political turmoil. PS Socialists have already said they will be voting against the government’s programme (without having seen or heard it). Everything hinges on the government ‘making an agreement with CHEGA’ so that any future ‘rejection’ of its programme by PS Socialists won’t signify overall defeat.
New Azores government takes office
Can this new government, led by prime minister José Bolieiro (right), pull it off, or will the government programme get the thumbs down, triggering further political deadlock in the regional archipelago? Image: EDUARDO COSTA/LUSA
