Portugal’s prime minister is confident of a new period for the country and wants a policy of dialogue to keep his left wing supporters on side.
António Costa, in his Christmas speech to the republic, spoke of the construction of "a new era" for Portugal, with growth, employment and financial consolidation, and the political feasibility of a "common platform" based on dialogue, transparency and commitment.
These are two of the main ideas in the traditional Christmas message from Costa who underlined his conviction that the collective capacity of the Portuguese people makes it possible "to build a new era for Portugal. A new era that will bring growth and prosperity, a new time for families and a new time also for businesses; a new era of opportunity to meet the life goals and happiness of each of the Portuguese."
When speacking of ‘dialogue’, the prime minister was alluding to the process that had led to the formation of his government with the support of the Left Bloc, the Communist Party and The Greens; a process which he needs to see continue if he is to stay in power.
Costa also wants "a basis for the sustained consolidation of public finances, an objective that this government will continue as the budget deficit and public debt falls."
The rime minister referred to 2015 as "a very demanding year for all Portuguese, a year that still sees families making enormous sacrifices, a year where the consequences of austerity have shown up the inequalities and difficulties in our lives."
But according to Costa, 2015 also was "a year of change, a change that turned the page of austerity and put Portugal on the path of growth, a change that breaks the cycle of impoverishment and offers hope to return to a better future."
"The first steps have already been taken with the first income devolution measures to families. This has been approved in Parliament and by the Government. The road ahead will not be easy, we face enormous challenges and we will have many obstacles to overcome, but I am confident that we will overcome them."
António Costa identified ‘growth, employment and equality’ as the main mission of his government, a ‘triple design’ through a strategy of modernisation of the economy with investment in culture, science and education as key pillars.
The Prime Minister pointed out that 2016 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Portuguese Constitution, the 30th anniversary of Portugal joining the then European Economic Community and the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Community of Countries of the Portuguese Language.
"These three dates are a time to reaffirm fundamental commitments to our own identity: a democratic identity as expressed in the Constitution; the identity of a country that claims to defend the future of the European project and its ideal of prosperity, and in a country that values and promotes the community of citizens who share our language, the Portuguese language."
António Costa gave a special messages to the Portuguese communities in the world, and to the Armed Forces and members of the security forces involved in peacekeeping missions, and also to those refugees arrived in the country.
"We will fight to remain one of those countries that has a capacity to receive and to integrate foreigners. Those who visit us as tourists, as students, who here emigrate for work or who are here seeking protection as refugees, all are welcome and all will be welcomed in the same way," concluded the new prime minister.
Comments
"We will fight to remain one of those countries that has a capacity to receive and to integrate foreigners"
As so often having to be pointed out - historically Portugal wasn't able to keep foreigners like the Spanish or French out. So the fighting to keep foreigners out was being done by the British with the intention of keeping the coastline safe for passing sailing ships. Or those northern European ships needing safe berth in storms.
More recently Portugal has spent the last 30 years doing all it can to frustrate those EU origin foreigners attempting to integrate and 'make good' in Portugal. Even today's refugees prefer somewhere else. So far not remotely an ideal partner in the European Experiment ....