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PS, PSD, BE and PCP failed to suspend and temporarily replace Chega’s sole deputy to dedicate himself to the electoral campaign for the Presidency of the Republic, contrary to the opinion of the deputy of the CDS-PP, João Almeida.
Once the opinion is rejected, the parliamentary committee on Transparency and the Statute of Deputies will meet again on January 5 to analyze a new opinion that this time will be drawn up by a deputy who will be appointed by the PS.
André Ventura had requested the suspension of the mandate and the replacement by his “number 2” in the party and on the list of the Lisbon2019 Legislative Circle, Diogo Pacheco Amorim, to dedicate himself to electoral propaganda in January.
The socialists Jorge Lacão, president of this XIV commission, Isabel Oneto and José Mendes joined the CDS-PP and the PAN in voting in favor of the opinion of the Christian democrat João Almeida.
The PS deputy Pedro Delgado Alves argued that “as of 2006, the causes (for the suspension of the mandate of a deputy) are no longer open and are taxable” and that there is always the alternative of justifying absences for political “work” “.
The socialist Lacão, for his part, did not agree with the argument and legal support sustained by his party and argued that “there is a compilation of legal norms from other institutes, namely, the Electoral Law for the Presidency of the Republic” for that parliament avoid having “empty seats”.
“The claim is absolutely correct. It is evident that the possibility (of suspension) must be granted to all the deputies in the same situation. But, legally, the relevant reason is definitively defined. The PSD will present today a bill to change and adapt the law (Statute of Deputies) ”, promised the social democrat André Coelho Lima.
The BE parliamentary leader, Pedro Filipe Soares, recalled that Ventura, during the elections to the Regional Assembly of the Azores, “missed several times without problem, including plenary sessions with voting.”
“He wants to create a political fact in a campaign without content. He had nine months, from the announcement of the candidacy until now, to make a proposal to reform the Statute of Deputies and he did not do it. This requested suspension is a regime of favor” , said.
The president of the communist caucus, João Oliveira, also disagreed “absolutely” with the opinion.
“Deputy André Ventura wanted to try a situation of favor and exception, of benefit and privilege, which would set a serious precedent. And, for example, mayoral candidates in October? Or candidates for the European Parliament? ”He asked.
The PAN spokesman, André Silva, affirmed that “it is necessary to choose to recognize and extend rights” and that the parliamentary commission must “use the Electoral Law for the Presidency of the Republic” and “discuss the Statute of Deputies.” .
The Statute of Deputies only provides for the suspension of the mandate for “pertinent reason”, that is, “a serious illness that implies an impediment to the exercise of functions for a period of no less than 30 days nor more than 180”, “exercise of maternity or paternity leave “” or the “need to ensure the follow-up of judicial or similar proceedings.”
For João Almeida, Ventura has a “new situation”, since he is “the only deputy who represents a party” and, for example, he would be harmed if a parliamentary debate and a televised public debate between presidential candidates coincide.
André Ventura asked that the mandate be suspended “as of January 1, 2021 and until the end of the elections for the Presidency of the Republic, on January 24, automatically considering the suspension if there is a second electoral round and now the plaintiff is a party to this dispute. “
