Chega Deputy, Francisco Gomes, has criticised the Left Bloc’s electoral proposal to grant the right of all people who hold a residence permit in Portugal the right to vote, even in the absence of reciprocity agreements with the countries of origin.
This, to Francisco Gomes, is completely unacceptable and represents an attempt by that party to manipulate the Portuguese democratic system in favour of its interests.
“The right to vote is a right of citizenship – and citizenship is not a pair of trousers or a shirt to be given or sold to everyone who comes to Portugal for convenience. Citizenship represents a cultural and civilisational heritage of a country with almost a thousand years of history. That demands respect!
It is the understanding of the Chega deputy that the Bloc’s proposal is nothing more than an attempt to, in the face of what he understands to be the loss of support among Portuguese voters, create a new electorate that is more receptive to their ideological agenda.
“Now we realize the Bloc’s interest in immigrant issues and its obstinate defence that everything is given to everyone, always at the expense of the Portuguese who work and pay their taxes. It’s not out of humanism, or charity, as they say, but out of pure electoral greed!” Argues the Madeiran parliamentarian, who once again heads the list of Chega Madeira to the ‘Nationals’ on the 18th of May.
Gomes stressed that, for Chega, all immigrants are welcome in Portugal, as long as they come with good intentions, respect the rules, and the culture, and are willing to work honestly. Those who come in bad faith, to commit crimes or to live at the expense of those who work should not come, as they do not bring anything good to the country,” he concluded.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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