Political Turmoil in Portugal: Resignations Over Corruption Scandal Shake Madeira
The resignation of Madeira's regional president and Funchal's mayor sparks calls for early elections amid a national corruption crisis.
Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Regional Government of Madeira, has resigned following serious allegations of active and passive corruption, malfeasance, and violations of the rule of law.
This development marks the third political crisis in Portugal within a year and raises the possibility of the electorate being called to vote for a fourth time.
The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, holds the authority to dissolve the regional assembly, following previous dissolutions of the Assembly of the Republic and the Assembly of the Azores.
President Rebelo de Sousa has not ruled out the possibility of convening early elections on March 24, which would come six months after the last general election.
The Social Democratic Party of Madeira (PSD-Madeira) is seeking to establish a new executive without Albuquerque, who is facing charges, and is forming a new team that the President hopes will fulfill governmental duties.
The political scandal at the regional level has influenced the national campaign for the legislative elections scheduled for March 10, particularly impacting the Democratic Alliance's electoral strategy, which has emphasized that the socialist government of António Costa was ousted due to a corruption scandal.
In light of Albuquerque's resignation, President Rebelo de Sousa commented that "the resignation of the regional government president signifies the cessation of functions of the entire executive." However, he did not specify whether he would dissolve the Assembly of Madeira or accept a new executive formed by regional deputies.
The Socialist Party of Madeira (PS-Madeira) has called for early elections and submitted a motion of no confidence even before Albuquerque's resignation, demanding consistency from the President in addressing this issue, comparing it to the resignation of António Costa.
Meanwhile, the Animal and Nature Party, a parliamentary partner, has threatened to withdraw its support for the PSD, although negotiations are ongoing without a definitive resolution.
In a further development related to the corruption investigations, Pedro Calado, the Mayor of Funchal, has also resigned before being questioned by authorities.
Calado is among those detained as part of the judicial inquiry.
The law enforcement operation initiated early last week led to Calado's arrest alongside two construction businessmen, the leader of the AFA group and the executive director of Socicorreia, Custódio Correia, who is also a partner of Avelino Farinha in multiple enterprises.
Reports indicate that the Judicial Police discovered €30,000 hidden in the homes of both Pedro Calado and his mother.
Additionally, the source of another €67,000 found in cash deposits in Calado's accounts remains unclear.
This development marks the third political crisis in Portugal within a year and raises the possibility of the electorate being called to vote for a fourth time.
The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, holds the authority to dissolve the regional assembly, following previous dissolutions of the Assembly of the Republic and the Assembly of the Azores.
President Rebelo de Sousa has not ruled out the possibility of convening early elections on March 24, which would come six months after the last general election.
The Social Democratic Party of Madeira (PSD-Madeira) is seeking to establish a new executive without Albuquerque, who is facing charges, and is forming a new team that the President hopes will fulfill governmental duties.
The political scandal at the regional level has influenced the national campaign for the legislative elections scheduled for March 10, particularly impacting the Democratic Alliance's electoral strategy, which has emphasized that the socialist government of António Costa was ousted due to a corruption scandal.
In light of Albuquerque's resignation, President Rebelo de Sousa commented that "the resignation of the regional government president signifies the cessation of functions of the entire executive." However, he did not specify whether he would dissolve the Assembly of Madeira or accept a new executive formed by regional deputies.
The Socialist Party of Madeira (PS-Madeira) has called for early elections and submitted a motion of no confidence even before Albuquerque's resignation, demanding consistency from the President in addressing this issue, comparing it to the resignation of António Costa.
Meanwhile, the Animal and Nature Party, a parliamentary partner, has threatened to withdraw its support for the PSD, although negotiations are ongoing without a definitive resolution.
In a further development related to the corruption investigations, Pedro Calado, the Mayor of Funchal, has also resigned before being questioned by authorities.
Calado is among those detained as part of the judicial inquiry.
The law enforcement operation initiated early last week led to Calado's arrest alongside two construction businessmen, the leader of the AFA group and the executive director of Socicorreia, Custódio Correia, who is also a partner of Avelino Farinha in multiple enterprises.
Reports indicate that the Judicial Police discovered €30,000 hidden in the homes of both Pedro Calado and his mother.
Additionally, the source of another €67,000 found in cash deposits in Calado's accounts remains unclear.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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