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The SIC political commentator, Marques Mendes, does not doubt that the errors that have marked António Costa’s agenda in recent weeks reveal “signs that we are at the beginning of the end of a political cycle.”
Asked how an experienced politician like António Costa makes so many mistakes, Marques Mendes began by saying that the Prime Minister, as “he came on vacation, only bought wars”, referring to the issue related to doctors and support for Luís Filipe Vieira, among others. . For Marques Mendes, António Costa shows signs of “tiredness, exhaustion and lack of patience” that then show signs of “intolerance” and some form of “impunity” – and if António Costa does not change, then “wear and tear” degradation will increase. Marques Mendes considers that the Prime Minister is “stressed and disturbed”.
Regarding the State Budget, Marques Mendes says that “it will still be approved, probably with the support of the Bloco de Esquerda”, but warns that the BE “will not do without labor laws.”
Two renewals in one week
As for the controversial support for Luís Filipe Vieira, the political commentator recalls what he had already said last week, that the prime minister would regret it, and confirms it, although he ironically says that this week he has seen two renewals. “We had two renewals, that of Luís Filipe Vieira, who removed Costa from his commission of honor, and the mini remodeling of Costa in the Government.”
One thing is certain for Marques Mendes: “The Prime Minister is not going to get involved in another”, recalling that Costa “has never been so criticized as this week” on various fronts, including the Socialists. And it seemed that the fact that Costa was until the last without withdrawing her support for Luís Filipe Vieira and it was this that ended up taking her out, “even on the edge.” That is, before the conversation with the President of the Republic, but more importantly “before the prosecution of Luís Filipe Vieira in the LEX case.” Marques Mendes even says that “all of that was combined.” And that it would have been “a national shame that Luís Filipe Vieira did not remove her from the honor committee,” even in international terms. And he concludes by saying that “António Costa is a very skilled person, but his ability has limits.”
Anyway, “here is still a stain” on the Costa road. “It was good that the majority of politicians, but also magistrates, while exercising functions do not connect with football,” he recommends.
More and less signs in Justice
Regarding the question of how justice looks in the eyes of the Portuguese after three judges have been accused of crimes, Marques Mendes immediately gives a negative note: “The image of three judges accused of corruption is terrible “, also because in Portugal” we tend to generalize this is not fair “, adding that not all judges evade.
The positive sign, he emphasizes, “is having this investigation” and the fact that justice “has not been faking it,” he says. “Justice is not there to cover each other.” However, it also says, almost as a preventive recommendation, that “judges have to file income statements like politicians.”
Second wave of the pandemic?
The figures for September could not be clearer and according to experts, and Marques Mendes agrees, “we are already in the 2nd pandemic wave or very close to it.” In a monthly comparison since the pandemic began to show its first signs, “the month of September, which has not ended yet, is worse than the month of April, which has been the worst month so far,” says Marques Mendes.
Although the number of infected is growing again, Marques Mendes believes that Portugal “has an advantage in the field of health, we are better prepared.” But he says that “wearing masks on the street was important”, or “an explanation” of its advantages or disadvantages.
And he leaves a note on how the authorities report cases on a daily basis: “It was time to change that conference that they do institutionally and bring doctors and specialists there” to make them not only less institutional but to listen to those in the field.
