Madeira News Blog

On the main night, there was a much lower turnout than last year, maybe the weather put people off. The rain held off until about midnight, and then it didn’t really ease off again. We sent our reporter out with his cheap camera to record the highlights of the night, with not very impressive results. He claims he was out until 4am this morning because of the rain … I reckon there is more to that story than meets the eye!

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(30th May). ‘Decided To Quit in 2011′. Alberto João Jardim guaranteed yesterday that he was serving his last term as leader of the social democrats of Madeira (PSD-M). Reacting to a call for another term from the president of the assembly of Madeira (ALM), Jardim said that the decision was already made without any possibility of a U-turn. "I said I was going to quit, and I am going to quit. Full stop". That is of course just the leadership of his party, and not the presidency of Madeira. I may be wrong, but I think he has already backtracked on previous retirement decisions.

‘Jardim Will Inaugurate 14 new Works valued at €59.3 Million In June’. Some are public, some private, this is according to the website of the presidency, that gives full details. The first 3 on Monday, are new agricultural projects, and during the month of June he will be in Santa Cruz, Calheta, Funchal, Machico, Câmara de Lobos, Porto Santo island, and Ribeira Brava. The ‘works’ include new roads, 4 new ambulances, tourism and estate agency enterprises, a residential home, an activity centre for people with cerebral palsy, and a new loo-roll in a Funchal public toilet. You can see the full programme here :

JARDIMS JUNE JOLLIES

‘Funchal – The Capital Of Culture’. Jardim Fernandes, the socialist candidate of the PS-M to the European Parliament dedicated his Friday morning to culture, when he presented various proposals. The most significant is the attempt to make Funchal the European Capital of Culture in 2019, a joint initiative with other capital cities of the islands of Macronesia.

(29th May). Politicians and supporters of the Left Block party of Madeira (BE) have criticised the regional government for finding €38 million to give to local football, but having given nothing to combat poverty. The party are referring to the money given to Marítimo to rebuild their stadium.

Someone has gone to the trouble of translating one of Uncle Bertie’s inauguration speeches into English. It is not that well done (probably a software translation with corrections), but if you ever wondered what he says, here is your chance :

PRESIDENT JARDIM INAUGURATION SPEECH