António José Seguro calls for a useful vote to unite the left

The last moments of the debate between António José Seguro and Jorge Pinto, broadcast on Monday night by RTP, while Portugal followed the latest news about Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s health problems, were dedicated to a declared appeal for a useful vote. The former secretary general of the PS made it very clear to the Livre deputy that “each one has to assume their responsibilities” to avoid a second round of the presidential elections with two right-wing candidates.

“I’m fighting for the left, the center-left and the democratic left, to have a presence in the second round. And that will only happen if there is convergence in my candidacy”, defended Seguro, after asking his opponent to imagine a scenario that would make the “party that is currently in hegemonic power in Portuguese society”.

The Livre deputy argued that there is still “a long way to go” and that there is no shortage of undecided votersbut António José Seguro, who in all polls appears as better positioned on the left, interfering between André Ventura, Gouveia e Melo, João Cotrim de Figueiredo and Marques Mendes, was effective in sending the message that “it is necessary that these elections do not put all their eggs in the same basket”.

Not by chance, moderator Carlos Daniel’s first question was addressed to Jorge Pinto, asked if he had any doubts that António José Seguro was a left-wing man. The Livre deputy responded that his words were distorted, but accused the former socialist leader of having put pressure on his political field, dissuading other possible unidentified candidates “who could be more aggregators”.

In this line of argument, Jorge Pinto pointed out the “structural contradiction” of Seguro having been the opposition leader who made the 2012 State Budget and the Labor Code viableleading the interlocutor to respond that he considers himself “a person on the left”, but on the “responsible left, who translates values ​​and principles into concrete solutions, so that people can live better”. And, saying he was surprised that such a young candidate was so focused on the past – which earned him an accusation of paternalism -, the socialist defended having been “always on the side of Portugal’s responsibility and interests” during the “very difficult period” of troikawhen the country was under external financial assistance.

It was the moment for Jorge Pinto to reveal that Seguro led the PS when the now Livre deputy left that partysending him a letter that he assumed had never been read. And to move forward with the prediction that the next five years, corresponding to the presidential term that will be at stake in the January 18 elections, could be as difficult or more difficult than the years of troika. “Talking about the past is essential to talking about the future”, he would add, in an almost Orwellian tone.

The two candidates also spoke about constitutional review, with Jorge Pinto reaffirming the idea that, being elected to the Belém Palace, he could dissolve the Assembly of the Republic in the event of a “drastic review”agreed only between right-wing parties – he later added that he would take the same decision if only left-wing parties were involved -, pointing out examples such as the end of semi-presidentialism and threats to rights, freedoms and guarantees.

António José Seguro countered that a dissolution of the Assembly of the Republic for this reason would transform the electoral campaign for the following legislative elections into a plebiscite for constitutional reviewas happened with the 1933 Constitution, which established the foundations of the Estado Novo. “For some reason there has never been a referendum on the Constitution,” he added.

There was also disagreement between the two candidates regarding the hypothesis of eliminating article 288 of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, with Seguro considering fears that obstacles to new revisions would be raised as unfounded. Also because a majority of four-fifths of deputies is required, instead of the two-thirds currently existing between PSD, Chega, Liberal Initiative and CDS.

Before that, the Livre deputy warned about the Labor Package defended by the Government, considering it “a tremendous setback” which he promised to oppose if he were elected. For his part, Seguro highlighted that the President of the Republic should not interfere while the social consultation process is taking place, but admitted a “clear inclination” not to accept the legislative changes as they are being presented.

On the topic of Health, with the two debaters converging on the idea that the National Health Service “is the most beautiful achievement of this democracy”, Jorge Pinto took the opportunity to defend the importance of moving forward with regionalization, considering it “a constitutional imperative that remains unfulfilled 50 years later”.

To solve existing problems, Jorge Pinto promised, as President of the Republic, to organize States General dedicated to the defense of the National Health Servicebringing together parties, users and professionals. Nothing too far from the position of António José Seguro, for whom the Head of State must be able to demand that parties sit at the table and make commitments for a five or ten year plan.

When it comes to Immigration, the Livre deputy drew on his experience of having been outside Portugal for 15 years, and of being the son and grandson of emigrants, to share the “great sadness” with which he watches “this poisoned climate in which immigration is discussed”. “As President of the Republic, it will be my priority not to let the Portuguese get carried away by this climate of hatred”, he maintained.

António José Seguro agreed that “the country needs immigration”, highlighting the “very positive contribution to the economy” and the 2.2 billion euros in contributions to Social Security, adding that this immigration “must be regulated and organized at entry, reception and integration”.