“Political stability is a common good, to be protected by both the majority of the Government and the opposition. It is an important means, but not an end in itself. It must exist in the service of solving people's concrete problems, solving the country's structural problems, and bringing it closer to the most advanced countries in Europe”, says the introduction to the program of the 25th Constitutional Government, delivered to parliament.

In this introduction, it is said that “the result of the last elections was clear”, and that the political project of the AD (PSD/CDS-PP coalition) “reinforced its legitimacy and expanded its parliamentary majority”.

“Receiving a larger majority from the people is a source of legitimacy and responsibility, combined. It cannot be a source of arrogance, but a reason to cultivate political humility, democratic dialogue and a sense of State”, he said.

The Government assures that “the opposition will be heard, with the respect that democratic representation demands” and that social dialogue “will continue to be seen as a source of reformist, balanced solutions based on broad social support”.

“Possible convergences will be sought in good faith, without ever compromising the clarity of the options that the Portuguese people voted for on May 18”, he said.

The Government warned that “the present time does not tolerate bureaucratic sluggishness”, but requires an executive “capable of planning, deciding and executing”.

Transformative Agenda

Then, it explains the government’s decision to include in the program, before the traditional sectoral areas, a new chapter entitled Transformative Agenda, which includes the ten priority axes for the next four years, among them State Reform, income increase, commitment to security and controlled immigration, together with strengthening defense.

“The Transformative Agenda condenses the Government’s reformist vision and defines the major axes of change that will guide the next four years. At a time when citizens demand more than words, this Agenda ambitiously assumes the central objectives of the mandate”, says the Government.

In the introduction to the program, the executive also emphasizes that the result of the elections of May 18 reflected another “clear desire: that of greater political stability”.

“The popular desire for responsibility, a sense of State and political stability is not, however, only directed at the Government and its majority. It also challenges and imposes on the Opposition, which must respond with similar humility, a spirit of dialogue and a willingness to undertake reforms that resolve the concrete problems of the Portuguese people”, it argues.

“The history of Portugal, centuries old, cannot be just a reason for celebration. It is, above all, a requirement. Each generation has the duty to live up to this past (…) Taking on the role of government today means accepting to enter this centuries-old chain of sacrifices and victories, of difficulties and achievements, of efforts and struggles”, he says.

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