Costa calls for state of emergency

The PAN spokesman said today to “generically” follow the concerns expressed by the Government to request a declaration of a state of emergency, asking to clarify that “the campaign for presidential elections cannot be coerced or restricted”.

“Generically, we follow what is the meaning of the document delivered by the Prime Minister, which aims to decree a state of emergency. We are aware of what epidemiological conditions and the health context are and, of course, it is important that new measures are taken, ”said André Silva, speaking to journalists at the end of an audience with the President of the Republic.

The deputy did not, however, want to commit himself to the party’s sense of vote, saying that he wanted to wait for the concrete content of the decree that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa – if he decrees a state of emergency – will send to the Assembly of the Republic.

André Silva said he expressed two concerns to the head of state: the first, that the Government’s decision to close fairs and markets be reassessed, and the second, related to political rights on the eve of presidential elections, scheduled for January.

“This state of emergency cannot restrict or restrict the normal activity of the candidates, namely in the collection of signatures or in the most diverse political activities”, warned the PAN spokesman, a party that has already declared support for candidate Ana Gomes.

According to André Silva, the President of the Republic, “who agreed”, was asked that, in a possible decree of the state of emergency “he can clarify that all these activities are allowed so that there is greater independence” in the next presidential elections.

The PAN spokesman also asked for “the survival of companies” to be guaranteed, through “improved and renewed” support.

“The country does not want or endure the same confinement that we had in March and April,” he warned.

On the other hand, the deputy considered that “many efforts are being asked of citizens, without the Government having exhausted everything it can do”, pointing out that, for example, public transport “remains crowded”.

“There are a series of responsibilities that the Government must take and has not yet taken so that there is some coherence and greater legitimacy to request this effort from citizens,” he said.

André Silva also stressed that, at this moment, the PAN does not understand that it is “justified or convenient” to impose a curfew.

“If we come to realize in a few weeks that it is necessary, we will consider it,” he said.

Asked if the President of the Republic indicated the date on which he could send a possible decree to parliament, the deputy answered in the negative.

The Prime Minister today proposed to the President of the Republic that a state of emergency be decreed “of a preventive nature” to “eliminate doubts” about the Government’s action to protect citizens in relation to the covid-19 pandemic in four areas, including the imposition of limits on freedom of movement and temperature control for access to certain workplaces.

According to António Costa, the proposal for a state of emergency – which he intends to see renewed for an extended period – also aims to allow, eventually, the use of health resources and means from the private and social sectors, and the mobilization of human resources, “whether in the public or private sector”, to strengthen, for example, screening teams.

After receiving the Prime Minister, the President of the Republic is today listening to the nine parties with parliamentary seats.

The state of emergency was in force in Portugal at the beginning of this epidemic, between 19 March and 2 May.

According to the Constitution, the declaration of a state of emergency may determine the suspension of some of the rights, freedoms and guarantees, for a maximum period of 15 days, without prejudice to any renewals with the same time limit.

Its declaration in all or in part of the national territory is a competence of the President of the Republic, but depends on the hearing of the Government and authorization by the Assembly of the Republic.

In Portugal, the first cases of infection with the new coronavirus were detected on March 2 and 2,544 people have died so far, with a total of 144,341 cases of infection accounted for, according to the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) ).

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