Madeira News Blog

(27th June). Today’s main news headline : ‘Gouveia Pays Subscriptions Of Members In Order To Be Leader – João Carlos Gouveia (leader of PS-M) took on the party subscriptions for socialists that gave him their leadership vote. He did it through a cheque, that was never taken to the bank because there were no funds. The question returned to the agenda in January. Now, Gouveia doesn’t pay alleging that it is wrong to cover the subscriptions of others’. He says that he is now going to make a donation to the Socialist Party. This was back in July 2007 when he was elected party leader, when at the party congress the president demanded subscription payments from delegates, many of whom were supporters of Gouveia. The party rules say that one cannot vote if subscriptions are unpaid. He allegedly wrote out a cheque there and then for at least €6,000. Already hung and drawn, but probably not quite yet quartered.

President Jardim confirmed yesterday what was already widely known. The social democrat candidates for the 11 presidents of the câmaras (council) will remain as currently in post, apart from in Porto Moniz, São Vicente, and Santana.

There is an article on the reaction of President Jardim to the proposed purchase of a large stake in the holding group of TVI one of the top Portuguese television companies. The purchase, estimated to be around €100 million, is being considered by PT, Portugal Telecom. Jardim calls it scandalous. I don’t know what the big deal is as mergers in these sectors are common place, and anyway, Portugal’s government has a golden share in PT and can block or approve major decisions by the company.

The President of the Republic of Portugal has today confirmed that the national elections will be held on Sunday 27th September. Cavaco Silva called for calm in the election campaigns. The President expects to see the “real” problems and concerns discussed.

‘João Mota Repeats In The Classics – João repeats his ritual of kissing the champagne. It didn’t produce the brilliance of previous years, but nether-the-less it was a pleasing event’. João Mota and Miguel Correia won this years XXII classic car rally in a 1971 MG B. I can’t believe he is really called Mota (look in your dictionary).

‘Festival Of São Pedro Later Tonight In Ribeira Brava – The popular saints complete the triangle. The tradition takes thousands today to the mythical Ribeira-braven festival’. (Not my words, nor my plug this time). More than 15 bands and 850 participants will take part in the parades at 9pm, for the first time on the night before the night before the day of Saint Peter. the parades are followed by a concert by José Malhoa. Lots more, but a bit late in the day to publish it now.

‘Jardim Hopes That The Visit Of Sócrates Is Useful To Madeira – The Region’s President ensures that the government does not comment on issues raised at the meeting scheduled with the Prime Minister of Portugal’. He is expecting that the talks regarding the supply of portable computers to school children, and on tourism will be beneficial. In particular, with tourism, he is hoping for news that the state is going to increase its support for Madeira to help protect that sector.  Jardim says he is “happy” with the visit of José Sócrates scheduled for next Friday, but said that he does not intend to act on the issues addressed at the meeting with the Prime Minister. He also considers that the “exchange of views is not to be talked about in the public arena”. What a spoilsport, both in terms of not saying what he really thinks about the visit, and keeping these juicy discussions from Joe Public. Personally I hope that Sócrates will have some fantastic questions to put to Uncle Bertie about misspent funds, his secret disappearing acts with taxpayers funds, oh the list is endless … and maybe even have time to suggest that the state would willingly pay for a grassy knoll in St. Catherine’s park.

‘The Socialist Party Give Up On Bernardo Martins To Be ‘Vice’ – Wrangling by the Social democrats over the third vice president in the legislative assembly come to an end. It only lacks now a new nomination’. The nomination by the leader and party of PS-M for the third candidate for the vice-presidency of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, has failed. Opposition politicians had taken a dislike to the ex-president of Machico, but sufficient numbers have agreed to back another candidate once the PS-M name one. The vice presidents of ALM have the function to replace the president during absence or impediment(?), and the arrangements are that the largest party (PSD) has the first two VPs, and the second largest party (PS) has the third, but it still has to be voted on.