Opposition parties today accused the Government, especially the Prime Minister, of disregarding and disdaining the poverty evident in much of the country.
The Left Bloc and the Communists left the PM in no doubt as to their views on the results of the austerity programme in the fortnightly debate held this morning in Parliament, "the policies that we have seen simply disregard the difficulties the Portuguese are having," said Communist party leader Jerónimo de Sousa as the figures were debated.
"Do you think your policy and its implementation is a success and that we are on track?” posed de Sousa, adding that "the distortion and propaganda is an affront to the reality in which we live."
Jerónimo de Sousa referred to the growth in the number of billionaires in parallel with the growth of those in Portugal at risk of poverty (2.7 million people), and asked "I still dare you come here and say that the sacrifices have been fair."
"Yesterday the PM confirmed in an interview that the looting of pensions is to continue. Due to his governance, workers work for longer and get less," said the communist leader who listed current contradictions, "He says that unemployment has slowed, but he does not say that the emigration of young people has grown. He speaks of job creation, but it is his government which is preparing to lay off thousands of public employees and 600 workers at the Viana de Castelo shipyard and also is the author of mass unemployment."
The country, warned se Sousa, is "throbbing with indignation because this policy is leading the country to disaster."
In response, Passos said that "it can not be a disaster that the country is moving towards an end to the adjustment programme," and added that he does not ignore the difficult situation facing the country, which is an extraordinary drama. “It is to prevent these situations continuing, it is essential to win this crisis, to end the programme of economic and financial assistance and to move on. This is certainly not Eden or heaven on earth," warned the PM.
Jerónimo de Sousa was keen to stress the differences between himself and the Prime Minister , saying that Passos Coelho "denied the reality of the country.
The Communist leader noted the fact that the Prime Minister has said he is not concerned with the side affects of his policies as he worries only "with markets, mega-banks and financial institutions."
Passos Coelho did not agree, adding "what distinguishes us is that I have the responsibility of governing, and he of opposing the government. I'm taking the decisions to exit the crisis and for Portugal to complete the programme. I do not regret it. I 'm doing something every day to a change the situation, and that's what distinguishes us."
Heloisa Apolonia of the Green Party said that "the gap between rich and poor continues to widen," which means "those who are paying for the crisis are those who least can afford to do so." The country, she added, is experiencing a snowball that has only brought more unemployment and impoverishment."
The MP wanted to know when the Government intends to restore wages and pensions.
Pedro Passos Coelho replied that "the rich pay proportionately more than others, which seems fair."
Highlighting the reforms that cut higher pensions more than others, Passos Coelho said he could not stoop to confiscation, "what we do is proportionate and fair throughout society. We will restore salaries and pensions when economic growth allow us to do so."
"Have the markets and the Troika shown any concern about poverty in Portugal? No. But what's worse is that the government also does not appear to show any concern. It is poverty that I'm talking about Mr. Prime Minister, wake up for once," said Apolonia.
