Madeira News Blog

There were two political front page stories in the headlines on Thursday, both about as interesting as watching evaporation, but I ought to mention them for completeness.

‘PSD-M Contest News Of The Accounts’. The Secretary General of the Social Democratic Party of Madeira has taken-up his right to reply on matters reported in the Diário, as a result of the findings of an official audit of the accounts of the PSD-M. Firstly there was no illegality, as no sanctions were applied. Then there were points of the audit report that were reported out of context, that should have been part of a bigger story, resulting in distortion and inappropriate conclusions. Then it is said, “The PSD shows all accounts in all material respects, to be produced in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Portugal”. … There is much much more, but the article finishes …  “With this clarification the truth is restored about the facts that were improperly disclosed to the Madeiran people by the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, and the journalist responsible for the news story”. There is no response from the journalist responsible for the original article, or the Diário, at this point.

‘Deputies Of PS-M Criticise Gouveia – A drop of water is the compromise to the PSD in the case of the vice-presidency of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira : André Escórcio refuses to be a chess piece’. The socialist MPs are disgusted with their leader,João Carlos Gouveia, and the small party is in revolt. The preferred candidate of the socialists was only able to achieve 23 of the 24 votes need to become the third vice-president, and now the leader is accused of conducting party business through the media. The position is a meaningless and symbolic one anyway, and one doesn’t know whether to blame the socialists, in self-imposed turmoil, or the social democrats for withholding agreed votes in their usual undemocratic and arrogant manner. I hope this one goes away soon, as it certainly doesn’t warrant front page coverage.

In another less prominent article, President Jardim has awarded a ‘honorary distinction’ to the Bailiff of Jersey (President of the Assembly / Chief Magistrate). He thanked the Bailiff of the British island, who has given support to Madeirans working on his island, and all the naturals and residents who have given and contributed to such a large number of Portuguese from Madeira, who continue to live there, many with family, and in perfect integration with the society of Jersey. The Bailiff in return thanked the president for the distinction, highlighting the excellent hospitality that has been given to his entourage during his visit to Madeira. Why does Jersey have so much space for Madeirans, anyone know? My guess is that there are not enough people to take the jobs locally, or they won’t accept the menial work, and the Madeirans are prepared to work as cheap labour.

‘Cattle In Fanal Generate Conflicting Opinions – Raimundo Quintal talks on the threat to the Laurissilva. Tourists, guides, and herdsmen say that it is part of the landscape’. Accompanied by a big eye-catching picture of a cow grazing up in the mountains, this old chestnut is back again. The cows up in the mountains in Fanal (above Porto Moniz) have made the place their home, and feed themselves on the Laurissilva. Breeders and tourists, as well as the general population, say that’s just part of nature. However, Raimundo Quintal, the Secretary responsible for environment protection thinks something needs to be done to stop it. He has already won the battle in the mountains of Santo António, São Roque, and Paul da Serra, and now has Fanal in his sights.

‘Man Shot & Motorcyclist Injured – Student was hit by a car that was climbing the Palheiro Ferreiro, and his condition is serious. In Cabo Girão there was a robbery with violence’. A man of 32 years was admitted at the Central Hospital in Funchal, Wednesday at around 1am in the morning, allegedly the victim of a violent robbery in the area of Cabo Girão. The individual had bruises and bleeding on his body and face was taken to the emergency room for observation, where they found two bullets lodged in his skull. He was attacked by three strangers on the Estrada das Fontainhas, who took his wallet with around €200, and two mobile phones. Shocked relatives of the victim pointed out that this is a very quiet place, where there is practically no movement at night, and there are suspicions that this is not just a random attack. The latest news is that the victim is unconscious in the department of Neurosurgery.

In the other part of that same headline, the 17 year old youth who was hit by a car whilst on his way to school by motorbike, has serious injuries to a hand, arm, and leg, after being hit and thrown several metres. He is also being treated in Funchal Central Hospital.

A fire early on Thursday morning led to the evacuation of residents in Santo António. The fire started in a garage in a block of apartments, consuming a vehicle and two motorbikes. The smoke spread up the stairwells of the building because the doors had been left open, preventing occupants evacuating, and firemen used ladders to rescue those trapped, including from the top floor. Around twenty firemen and 5 vehicles took part in the operation to extinguish the fire, which was hindered by high temperatures and intense smoke. The cause of the blaze is not yet known. I am always having to close doors to the garage and in the stairwell where I live, they might as well not be there for the amount of time they are shut. It’s not only important in the event of fire, but helps eliminate the noise of screaming kids and cooking smells. They ought to make ‘self closers’ on doors compulsory in blocks of apartments in my opinion. In fact I am going to buy a rope, as I have no access to one of the escape doors, and it would be pretty tricky to get an escape ladder up to my balcony if needed.

Unemployment and insecurity at work are particular concerns for younger women, along with wage inequality, and forced working hours that have no regard for childcare. These will be the areas of focus of the 5th National Conference on Equality between Women and Men, that starts on 22nd May in Lisbon. That follows on from a debate here on Wednesday afternoon, with the Commission for Equality between Women and Men, organized by a Trade Union of Madeira, in order to address the employment situation of the women of Madeira working in hotels. A spokeswoman lamented the fact that there is no assurance of gender equality in the workplace here, and the special requirements for women with home and family responsibilities do not make any difference.