Both filmed and photographed enjoying the Algarve’s beaches, Portugal’s president and prime minister will be meeting today in Faro City Hall for the ‘regular’ weekly meeting that usually takes place at Belém Palace.
Currently sporting designer stubble, it’s uncertain how formal the prime minister will be for this meeting. President Marcelo has also been relaxed in beach attire, chatting to all who approach him and posing for selfies even in the sea. In other words, this will almost certainly be an unfussy meeting, although it is the first between the two since the Constitutional Court ‘bombshell’ that caused Marcelo to veto the Foreigners Law. The head of state has had to defend his actions. Talking to journalists yesterday, he said he did not want to “create problems” for the government, but could also not “play dead” for the final months of his 10-year term.
There is a distinct feeling in the air -particularly ‘up north’ where so many fires are still raging – that both the president and the prime minister could have done a great deal more this summer. Even if it ‘changes nothing’, communities battling advancing flames would have appreciated a show of solidarity.
There is also the discontent with perceived failings in the state health service: the constant closing of obstetric and pediatric A&E services; the failings of the 24-hour helpline that only this week saw a young mother left to deliver her baby on the pavement.
Thus, in spite of the ‘relaxed demeanour’ of the country’s political leaders, there will be a lot to discuss today (at 6pm), and a lot more in the way of criticism almost certain to be coming down the line. ND
