Man-about-town José Sócrates has accused Portugal’s president of being allied to the right wing, rather than remaining independent, while he delays choosing the next government.
Accusations against Cavaco Silva of conduct based on ‘resentment’ were leveled by Sócrates as he addressed the ‘José Sócrates Sempre’ movement at a Lisbon lunch.
The former prime minister considers that the president’s delay in resolving the current political impasse is intended to lay the foundations for a right wing election campaign.
"Basically, what the President of the Republic wants to do, and is doing, is underlining the abnormality of this political solution, showing that it is very unusual, and by saying it is strange is laying the foundations of a forthcoming election campaign by the right wing," said Sócrates.
Speaking for the first time about the current political situation, the former prime minister harshly criticised the head of State, accusing him of acting based on resentment, adding that he has never seen a president ‘so alone.’
"The intention of the President of the Republic, with the delay caused by these discussions, is to discredit and weaken the only government with a political solution,” added Sócrates.
“Despite there being a socialist government solution, a month and a half after the general election the president is still thinking,” according to Sócrates who said that Cavaco Silva does not need advice, or if he does then he should call a Council of State.
José Sócrates added that a Socialist Party government is the only solution to the current political impasse, and roundly rejected accusations from the right wing that there has been a political coup.
José Socrates is the only former head of Portugal’s government to have been remanded in custody after his arrest a year ago. He was indicted for the crimes of corruption, tax fraud and money laundering in Operation Marquês, an investigation involving his friend Carlos Santos Silva and several other business friends and contacts.
