This Thursday 2nd April , Parliament approved the extension of the state of emergency, with Chega, Joacine Katar Moreira, PCP and PEV abstaining. The Liberal Initiative voted against
It was with the presence of 149 deputies that the renewal of the state of emergency was approved, with the favorable votes of PS, PSD, CDS-PP, BE and PAN, the vote against the Liberal Initiative and the abstention of PCP, ENP, Chega and non-registered deputy Joacine Katar Moreira, who announced the presentation of an explanation of vote, in a critical tone because it was not possible to speak in the debate, due to the rules of procedure of the Assembly of the Republic.
The State of emergency, with rules that further restrict citizens’ freedoms, was renewed precisely on the day that marks the 44th anniversary of the approval of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, in the same space where the country’s Basic Law was approved: the Assembly of the Republic. Fact that was not ignored by the Prime Minister
“44 years ago, no one dreamed that today we would celebrate, thus, the approval of the Constitution”, pointed out António Costa, recalling that, this Thursday, it is also a month since the diagnosis of the first case of Covid-19 in the country.
Recalling that in the next 15 days, the country will enter the most critical phase of fighting the pandemic, the Prime Minister considered “absolutely essential” that the state of emergency be renewed and asked the Portuguese for some more effort, pleading with them to celebrate Easter at home, away from their villages.
“The real way we have to stop this pandemic and move as little as possible”, stressed António Costa, promising that the reopening of the school year will be analyzed, on the 7th, with “the maximum of restraint”.
On the other hand, the prime minister insisted on leaving a harsh word to those who are taking advantage of the pandemic crisis, exploring the fear it causes in people. António Costa referred to those who are “abusing in industrial relations”, the “attempted economic exploitation” and the “authority to impose unjustified restrictions on rights, freedoms and guarantees”.
In fact, something pointed out harshly by PCP and BE. “The Government has to protect jobs and wages”, stressed the national coordinator of the Left Bloc, Catarina Martins, thus demanding more measures to protect jobs and wages.
The parliamentary leader of the CP, João Oliveira, agreed that what is needed is to stop “the law of the jungle against workers” and abusive dismissals using coercion and threats. “” This pandemic poses health, economic and social problems. None of this requires a state of emergency “, considered João Oliveira, thus justifying the PCP ‘s abstention.
“It’s anything goes,” reinforced the ENP parliamentary leader, José Luís Ferreira, arguing that “it is not the state of emergency that allows the government to provide the necessary answers” than the country at this time of epidemic crisis.
“Democracy is not suspended and the fight against this pandemic cannot be limited by fundamental rights”, justified, in his turn, the only deputy João Cotrim Figueiredo, the reason why the Liberal Initiative voted against the renewal of the state of emergency .