JOSÉ SENA GOULÃO/LUSA
The parliamentary leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Hugo Soares.
The laughter about Pedro Nuno and the “comical” insecurity. PS parliamentary leader also thinks that PSD and CDS “will still regret the feeling of insecurity”.
Portugal is a safe country. The PS, when it ceased to be Government, also left a safe country – and the feeling of insecurity is being created by PSD and CDS.
The ideas were reinforced this Tuesday by Alexandra Leitão, parliamentary leader of the PS.
At a time when there is a lot of talk about insecurity and about perceptions, the deputy said: “The PS left a safe country. PSD and CDS are the ones creating a feeling of insecurity – and they will regret it“.
In , Alexandra repeated that she is against the media, a police operation where, she argues, “he selected who leaned against the wall”.
The socialist deputy defends security, knowledge, and even admits “going against the perception of the Portuguese even if this perception does not correspond to facts”.
But he thinks that security must be guaranteed with: proximity police, integration, public lighting and video surveillance. “AND not with special, discriminatory operationsprobably proportionate and politically oriented for the instrumentalization of the police”, he warned.
Hugo Soares repudiated these words: “Nobody uses the security forces” – “But try!”, Alexandra Leitão immediately responded.
The parliamentary leader of the PSD said that, in 1999, his political opponent “applauded” the raid, of course, by the PSP precisely in Martim Moniz. At the time, the prime minister was António Guterres, from the PS, and his name was ‘Operation Curry’. “This one selected the object of the police operation by name”, commented Hugo Soares (but at the time Alexandra Leitão was 26 years old and a cabinet assistant, not even a well-known name in politics).
Returning to the present: the PSD parliamentary leader recalled that in this operation in Martim Moniz Portuguese citizens were detained: “Does this mean that whoever was pushed against the wall was selected? This statement is very serious and calls into question the integrity, independence, and is even a xenophobic comment in relation to the country’s security forces”.
The social-democratic deputy reinforces that levels of insecurity in Portugal have increased during the last few years, under PS governments. That’s why, “It’s a laugh to hear Pedro Nuno Santos say that the PS takes better care of security of the Portuguese than AD”.
“I’m glad you’re having fun”, responded Alexandra Leitão. “I laugh, I laugh at the statements”, explained Hugo Soares – who repeated that he laughed at Pedro Nuno Santos’ words.
Alexandra Leitão had another perception: “I don’t laugh at all about the social tension that (PSD and CDS) are creating in Portugal. We hear you think this is comical“.
Hugo Soares raised his voice: “Don’t put words in my mouth, I won’t admit that! I didn’t say that and I won’t admit that to you! If you want to be taken seriously, if you are serious, you know that’s not what I said. So tell me: is that what I said? Can you say that’s what I said?”
The TSF moderator tried to move forward but Hugo Soares insisted: “I’m not going to let this go unnoticed! Is that what I said?”
Alexandra replied: “He spoke with laughter, about a very serious situation“.
Hugo Soares accused: “I didn’t say that, Alexandra is blatantly lying. I really value Alexandra Leitão, but she’s lying.”
The PS parliamentary leader repeated her idea and quoted Chega: “The tension that the Government is creating in Portugal to go look for Chega voterswith only electoral intentions, is very serious. He just wants to steal votes from Chega. I say this and repeat it. And I learned that this amuses Hugo Soares. Laugh about it now.”
“You can repeat whatever you want, but you are talking nonsenseit is”, concluded the PSD parliamentary leader.
