Former leader of the Lisbon council wants referendum on euthanasia in the program
In an intervention before the 39th PSD Congress, Paulo Ribeiro considers that there is “an impasse between the Assembly of the Republic and the Presidency of the Republic” regarding the decriminalization of assisted death and, therefore, recommended that the party return to the theme in the next legislature, after the last Congress approved a thematic motion on the subject.
“Given the current impasse, it would make perfect sense to put the referendum on euthanasia back on the agenda for the next legislature, and for the PSD to expressly include it in its program,” he appealed.
As for regionalization, Paulo Ribeiro defended that the PSD should not go after the “banana peel” placed by the PS, which wants to make this a central theme of the next electoral campaign, also leaving a proposal.
“It is not a consensual issue in our electorate (…) I propose that there is a commitment from Organs national bodies so that, if the referendum issue is raised, an extraordinary congress is called to discuss the issue of regionalization”, he defended.
The former leader of the Lisbon council, who supported Rio in 2020 and Paulo Rangel in November 2021, congratulated both candidates.
Rio, for having given “an example of leadership and courage” to take the lead in a scenario “that was adverse to it”.
“It set an example to all of us, that when we believe we have to go out to fight,” he said, wishing him success for the January 30 review “so that he can be Portugal’s next prime minister.”
The former leader of the council also thanked Rangel for his contribution to the internal debate.
“That on January 30, Rui Rio can congratulate Paulo Rangel because these direct changes should contribute decisively so that Dr. Rui Rio can be elected prime minister of Portugal,” he said.
Paulo Ribeiro also drew a parallel between the PSD’s victory in the local authorities in Lisbon and the national climate, saying that there is already “a national fatigue with the governance of António Costa”.
The second day of work for the 39th PSD Congress came close to 11:00, an hour late, with the room even emptier than in the opening session on Friday night.
The registered delegates were insisting on the message that the PSD will win as legislatures and, a more optimistic speaker, even spoke of “moving to an absolute majority”.
During the first hour of work, many delegates signed up to speak, but were absent from the room at the time of roll call.
The 39th Congress takes place until Sunday in Santa Maria da Feira, in Aveiro.