"The worst is over for the Portuguese," according to the President of the European Parliament in an interview on Portugal’s TSF Radio News
Antonio Tajani praised the efforts that the Portuguese have made in recent years, as if the EU-imposed austerity programme had the support of Portugal’s exasperated taxpayers.
Tajani said he has worked closely with Portugal and is happy that he can "count on the support of a nation whose people have always been dedicated to Europe."
Tajani, the Italian and European politician who has served as President of the European Parliament since January 2017, commented, "I am a true friend of Portugal. In the words of the poet, Fernando Pessoa, because he was Portuguese and European, I consider also that Portugal is the face of Europe, looking at the World."
“I commend the achievements and sacrifices that the Portuguese people made during the difficult economic crisis. It has not been easy, it is still difficult, but thanks to their courage and pride, I am convinced that the worst is over," said the President, in full.
Antonio Tajani emphasizes that he has worked closely with Portuguese EU members "in their relations between the European Union and Africa, Brazil and Asia and Russia."
The leader of the European Parliament also talked about the challenges ahead, particularly with regard to immigration and "its causes."
For Tajani, historical and cultural bonds and common values and aspirations are a plus while commenting on the relationship "with Latin America advancing with the negotiations in Mercosur, (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela - which was suspended on December 1, 2016) creating a stronger economy as well as political connections."
This sort of condescending rhetoric is quite normal from the European Parliament and will be treated with indifference by the 600,000 workers in Portugal on the national minimum wage of €7,420 a year.
Antonio Tajani
