“The Portuguese do not forgive opportunism” – Observer



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At a time when doubts about the vaccination plan against covid-19 and the government’s response to the second wave of the pandemic are increasing, António Costa guarantees that there is no delay in the vaccination plan and asks for peace of mind. “There is no point in anticipating anxieties“, He says.

The Prime Minister assumes that there is still no specific date for the arrival of the first vaccine and recalls the great complexity of the plan. “It will be the largest vaccination operation in the world“He says. On Thursday, Costa announces, more details about the plan will be known, but there is a certainty that the Prime Minister wants to leave:” The criteria [de vacinação] They are not political criteria, they are technical. But however many have adjusted these technical criteria, there are ethical limitations that cannot be accepted“.

The prime minister thus refers to the first working document of the Directorate General of Health, which did not advise vaccination of people over 75 years of age. “The legislator cannot accept this. This is politically unacceptable, ”he says.

Without ever committing to dates, António Costa assumes that “the fall of the pandemic will be slowerAnd that this dynamic implies a “balance” that must be maintained to “help consolidate the dynamic [descendente], so that we can come to December with confidence ”.

The Prime Minister assumes the absolute priority of avoiding a third vacancy in January and eliminates any risk of breakdown in the National Health Service. “There is a network management that has made it possible to respond to all situations and we are increasing the number of beds available, ”he says. António Costa guarantees, however, that the Government “continues to work on strengthening the SNS”, specifically through the hiring of 48 new intensive care doctors and the suspension of limits on the hiring of doctors and nurses in hospitals.

Challenged to determine what measures will be in place during the Christmas period, António Costa resists and raises the issue for Thursday, when there will be another meeting at Infarmed. But the Prime Minister leaves something new: on Saturday, when he announces the new measures of the state of emergency, the Government will advance with the measures that will be in force until January 6. “It is essential that people can have an early idea“Stresses the Prime Minister.

“This week is decisive. Let’s all strive to be able to spend a Christmas with the best conditions. But New Years Eve will have all the restrictions.. Surely there will be no end of the year parties“, He says.

After Parliament approved a diploma that prevents the injection of capital of almost 500 million euros in Novo Banco, António Costa criticizes the position of the PSD and triggers the moment for the plan of inconsistency. “It undermined the credibility of the PSD. It was a political bravado that will be legally and politically inconsequential “ , accuses.

Without specifying how the Government will elude this parliamentary leadership, the Prime Minister throws himself at Rui Rio, accusing the Social Democratic leader of having “very easy” a “order your principles“. An attitude, he says, that has already been seen during the campaign with the exploration of the Tancos case, with the ability to dialogue with Chega and the way in which it compromises the stability of the contracts signed by the State.

António Costa does not forgive the Bloco de Esquerda either, after Catarina Martins voted against the State Budget. According to the socialist, BE acted out of opportunism and “defected”. “They thought, ‘Get alone with your unpopularity and we’re going to get fresh.’ The Portuguese are very wise and do not forgive opportunism. If an examination of conscience is made, the Bloc will perceive the seriousness of the political error ”.

The prime minister says, however, that he cannot live on his back and that the doors are not closed. “A prime minister cannot live in a state of mind. We have to move on. I hope the Block reflects and learns from the mistakes it made.“, he suggests.

Regarding the blockade of the European bazooka, led by countries such as Hungary and Poland, António Costa does not hide his concern about the impasse, but rather stands out from Viktor Orbán and leaves a warning: whoever wants to advance towards the negotiations in a position of “blackmail “” He is “defeated at first.”

Even so, the Prime Minister warns that if the agreement is not reached “we would live in a dramatic situation” as of January 1.

In a last question about the presidential candidates, António Costa concealed his “modesty” due to him as prime minister in office, but left a certainty: “I already know who I will vote for and I will not vote blank.”

You can also listen to the interview live on Rádio Observador, by clicking here. And I still see it here.



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