Today, members of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), were at the port of Funchal, highlighting the need for the mainland government to guarantee a maritime passenger connection between Madeira and the Portuguese mainland.
Addressing the needs of the public, PCP deputy Ricardo Lume said:
“According to the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, it is up to the State to promote the correction of inequalities derived from distant insularity in Portuguese territory. It is on this assumption that the Government of the Republic must guarantee regular and accessible transport for the mobility of the Portuguese within the national territory and, in particular, for the residents of the islands.”
According to the Ricardo Lume, the establishment of a maritime passenger transport service between Madeira Island and the Portuguese mainland is of national importance, and corresponds to a strategic priority favouring national cohesion and integration which meets the needs of the people.
He went on to say that “taking into account that the State Budget for 2020 contemplated that the Government of the Republic should ensure funding for a regular maritime passenger transport line between Madeira Island and the Portuguese mainland; it was naturally disappointing that this did not take place, and that in the Socialist Party 2021 State Budget, they failed to fund a regular maritime passenger transport line between Madeira Island and the Portuguese mainland, despite the PCP having presented a proposal, which in all effect was defeated by the PS who failed to support the proposal and the abstention of the PSD.
Bearing in mind that the proposed State Budget for 2022 continues to deny the right to maritime mobility of passengers between Madeira and the mainland, the PCP has already presented to the Assembly of the Republic a proposal to amend the State Budget for 2022, so that the Government of the Republic can effectively guarantee funding for a regular maritime line for the transport of passengers between Madeira Island and the Portuguese mainland, thus meeting the rights and interests of Madeirans and Porto Santo.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
