Lisbon, 01 Jul (AIM) - The new secretary-general of the Socialist Party, José Luís Carneiro, warned this Tuesday (01) that the legislation proposed by the Government of the AD Coalition PSD/CDS-PP, led by Luís Montenegro, to be discussed in the Assembly of the Republic (AR), the Portuguese parliament and which aims to increase restrictions on immigration to Portuguese territory and access to Portuguese nationality, is not in a position to have a favorable vote from the PS.
José Luís Carneiro assured the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, this Tuesday, in an audience in Belém, that the socialists are available to dialogue with the AD Government.
Without referring directly to the viability of Budgets, José Luís Carneiro warned, however, that Prime Minister Luís Montenegro cannot count on him if the Executive's plans jeopardize “the foundations of the social state”, adding that, as they stand, the changes to the law regarding immigration do not have the favorable vote of the PS.
The new socialist leader, elected last Saturday (28), was received, on Tuesday afternoon, in Belém, by the head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
At the end of the hearing, José Luís Carneiro told journalists that he had told Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa that the PS was available for a “responsible and constructive” dialogue with the Government. He gave examples of matters in which the PS was willing to contribute, such as improving the Justice system and the Internal Security System, as well as increasing investment in Defence – through a “national strategic plan that values the military industrial dimension”.
According to Carneiro, however, investment cannot jeopardize social sustainability, territorial cohesion and economic cohesion.
This is, moreover, the red line drawn by the Socialist Secretary-General. Admitting that he did not speak, in private, with the President of the Republic about the viability of State Budgets, José Luís Carneiro established that he will oppose the Government in “anything that puts at risk” the “foundations of the social State”.
Speaking to journalists before the hearing, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he wanted to hear from the new PS leader about State Budgets.
“As it stands today”, the legislation proposed by the Government, and deposited in Parliament, “is not in a position to receive a favorable vote from the PS”, stressed José Carneiro, who brings to his leadership his desire to rebuild the party, after the defeat in the early legislative elections of May 18th.
The Government needs to open up the possibility of discussing the matters in question”, stressed Carneiro, stating that “there are more sensitive matters”.
The socialists understand, for example, that citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) should have treatment “deserving of the reciprocity” of which the Portuguese are “beneficiaries in these countries”.
“But there are dimensions that, naturally, cannot count on the PS’s favorable vote”, he reaffirmed.
Despite the difficult mission that the new PS leader has ahead of him, José Luís Carneiro promises to work with everyone and distances himself from the “show” politicians.
Carneiro wants to follow a path without “haste” and “tactics”, emphasizing the “values and principles” of the PS. “Many parties are tempted to give in to ‘spectacle politics’. Expect a different stance from me”, says the “considered” socialist leader.