Madeira News Blog

POLITICS

(27th May). Today’s main news headline : ‘Coito And Filipe Hinder Pretender Albuquerque – Coito Pita said to have been there by chance when Miguel Alburquerque arrived at CMF (Funchal Council). He makes an ironic counter-attack on the willingness of the counsellor (MA) to succeed Jardim. Coito recalls that he (MA) was the first to declare himself available. Jaime Filipe, another pretender, suggests his colleagues calm down’. (That was the worst headline I have ever encountered for translation purposes!). Despite the European election campaign being in full swing, the issue of future leadership of the social democrats of President Jardim is causing some palpitations amongst party members. A few days ago the president of CMF, Miguel Alburquerque, declared himself available and willing to stand for party leader, to succeed the president of the government of Madeira, who has indicated that he will step down in 2011. It seems this is just another party politics squabble, over-enthusiasm with one man trying to further his career, and another saying that there is a protocol for such matters, and that other matters are priority at the moment.

There are several stories about the visit of the ambassador from Israel, who is on Madeira for 3 days meeting local dignitaries of all sorts. They include tourism links between the two ‘countries’, business and agricultural links and cooperation, and I really can’t be bothered to go through them. Visits like these are a bit of fun for the politicians and civil servants, nothing more, and nothing will come of it. It’s just window dressing for a nice jolly over to Madeira, and no doubt Uncle Bertie will get invited to Israel, if he didn’t sneak off there first that is!

FINANCE & ECONOMY

(27th May). Those nice people in Finanças (IRS) had to extend their tax return submission deadline this year due to "technical difficulties unrelated to tax". Anyone who missed the new deadline of midnight yesterday, can still submit their tax information, but will be fined for lateness. The fine increases the later it gets.

ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS

(27th May). ‘Motor Market Assembles Around 400 Cars In Machico’. Although a largely commercial event with sales, spares, and servicing, aficionados may be interested to know that there will be an exhibition of classic cars, a motorcycling display, and a collection of scale models of cars. The event runs from Friday until Sunday, and will be held in Machico Marina. Best take yer wellies then!

‘Atlantic Festival – Regional Secretary of Tourism says that this is a winning bet’. The festival program was presented on Tuesday in ‘Infoarte’. Since June 2002 when the event was first held, it has been growing in popularity. Back then, according to the Regional Secretary, it attracted 67,000 visitors, rising to 105,000 last year. A survey carried out amongst the hotels of Madeira reveal that during the first two weeks of June, occupancy will be over 70%. The rough programme for the €500,000 event was published here a few days ago, but the dates for the firework / musical events are on the Saturdays 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th June, with Italy, Russia, Germany, and lastly Portugal competing. The last event will be accompanied live by the Classical Orchestra of Madeira. There are other events organised, such as exhibitions, concerts, and a classic car rally. FULL PROGRAMME

(21st May). The government of Madeira has joined forces with the trade union representing the workers from the Savoy Hotel, that are in the process of being sacked. The hotel trade union met on Wednesday with the secretaries of the region for Human Resources and Tourism and Transport. The meeting was actually arranged to discuss the problems with the Madeira Palácio Hotel (see yesterday), but ended up switching to the more topical hotel of Madeira.

(21st May). ‘Jardim Presides Over The Commission Of Honour Of The Of The Centenary of Nacional – The chief of the regional government repeated that there are reasons not to support the building of a pavilion, nor for a prize for UEFA’. President Jardim has accepted the offer from Nacional football club to preside over the centenary celebrations. The president of the football club considered his first invitation to meet with Jardim at his official residence an honour, and a significant moment for the club, and no doubt endeared himself to his host when he said "We are in fact, the leading institution of sport on Madeira", referring to the clubs achievements in Europe, and with a fourth place finish this season almost assured. On the matter of support for a new sporting pavilion for Nacional, that decision will be postponed until the next government, which in Portuguese has a very short word ‘NÃO’!

Blimey Uncle Bertie, that must have hurt somewhat to accept the invitation for the Nacional centenary celebrity, I wonder if you had your fingers crossed in your pocket when you muttered those magic words ‘I do’. But you balanced it out nicely with the refusal of help for a new pavilion. That day will cost you a few votes from the ardent Marítimo fans for sure. No doubt Uncle Bertie had to pay the cleaners overtime to give his residence a good scrubbing afterwards.

(19^th May). ‘Government Deals Today With The Organisation Of Marítimo – The captain, coach, and club president meet with Jardim to define the club strategy for the coming season, including player contracts (existing and new). The stadium (redevelopment) is number one priority. But there are members who consider this meeting to be humiliating for Marítimo’. The ‘working lunch’ had on the agenda matters about next season’s squad, and the rebuilding of the club stadium. Many club members feel the occasion to be undignified, but don’t speak out for fear of reprisals. “Surely the President in Portugal does not hold such meetings with Leixões” (a club on the mainland) said one such dissenter. I have put this in political news, rather than sport (unlike the Diário), so we can see the interference and arrogance of the government in what should be private enterprise, but no doubt Marítimo get some benefit from going through this process every year. It’s a well known fact that Uncle Bertie is Marítimo’s number one fan, but it’s a matter of controversy and division amongst football fans on Madeira, many who believe that Marítimo receive state sponsored favouritism.

(19^th May). The day’s main headline : ‘Business Leaders Demand Respect From Jardim – Referring to those that allowed themselves to be swayed by Prime Minister Sócrates, businessmen that lunched with Sócrates insist on the importance of the occasion and demand “tact” from the president of Madeira. The PS (socialists) in Lisbon say that the matter is local politics’. The warning comes from a hotel sector businessman, António Trinidade, who said “It is very important that the President of the Government start thinking seriously about having a bit of respect for the entrepreneurial class of Madeira”. He added “the majority found the lunch very interesting”. His comments come after Jardim made derogatory comments about those who had lunch with Sócrates on Friday. Trinidade said “I think the President of the Government must begin to use a little more tact in making statements, especially because it does not necessarily affect regional politics, but affects an entrepreneurial class that is essential for the development of Madeira”. May god protect you Sr. Trinidade. Uncle Bertie is a powerful man and will be having anyone like you who steps out of line for lunch.

In another article, and following the announcement that the prime minister might return, PSD-M (ruling social democrats) have actually called on Sócrates to return, so he can explain himself in front of a debate in Madeira’s legislative assembly, regarding changes to the finance act affecting the autonomous regions of Portugal.

One can’t help noticing that the latest round of posters has gone up for Madeira’s biggest political rally at Chão da Lagoa, for the annual bash of the militants of the PSD-M. The article in today’s newspaper on the subject mentions the matter, and the fact that our president is doing the rounds on the island, in preparation for this and the European elections. I didn’t notice exactly when it happened, but I would like to thank the social democrats for actually taking down last year’s posters, which made a nice change. Normally they stay in place until the following year, when they are replaced. Now that’s what I call real political progress!