The regional elections in Madeira held today resulted in a negative outcome for the workers and people of the Region. First and foremost, because the CDU, despite increasing the number of votes and its percentage, did not regain its parliamentary representation by 65 votes, a necessary and irreplaceable element in the Regional Legislative Assembly to make the people's problems and aspirations heard and to act to respond to them. At the same time, the majority obtained by the PSD confirms the conditions for pursuing its agenda of regression and exploitation, in a situation where no other political force constitutes a political alternative to the PSD.
The CDU's result, which grew in votes and increased its percentage but fell short of what was needed and the importance of its role in regional life, cannot be separated from the blatant silencing and belittling it was subjected to, from the effects of promoting illusions about false alternatives from forces that, having essentially identical options to the PSD, ingratiated themselves into a fabricated popular and regional identification or proclaimed themselves as an “alternative”, added to a dispersion in meaningless voting options.
The PSD's victory, based on control of power in the most diverse areas of regional life, with blackmail and promises of circumstance, means, regardless of the arrangements for governance, the continuation of a policy that is contrary to the interests of the workers and the people, and an impetus to continue and heighten the favouring of the interests of economic groups and the promiscuity between political functions, personal interests and shady businesses.
The absence of the CDU in Parliament prevents the voice of the people from being directly expressed there. But the PCP will continue its long-standing intervention, in all situations and in all places, in defence of the rights of the workers and the people and the development of the Region. This is the word of honour of a force that does not surrender to injustices and the interests of the powerful, a force of courage, coherence and determination that the people of the Region can continue to count on.
At this moment of retrospect, we convey our greetings to all those who voted for the CDU, reaffirming our unwavering commitment that this support will be fully respected.
A special greeting to all the candidates and activists who built a campaign of clarification and mobilisation, certain that this work and intervention, despite the immediate objectives not having been achieved, affirmed ideas, projects, solutions and a commitment to action, honesty, justice, peace and development that are the path that is needed in the times and world we live in.