Intensifying Pressure for Quick Elections in Madeira: PSD's Internal Struggles Unfold

Political Tensions Rise in Madeira

The call for elections within the PSD/Madeira is currently contingent upon the party's internal bodies. Despite the refusal of Miguel Albuquerque, opposition parties are applying pressure for early regional elections to occur "as quickly as possible," which may hinder the voting process.

Censure Motion and Calls for Internal Elections

The recent approval of a censure motion against the minority government of the PSD has prompted former Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Manuel António Correia, to advocate for internal elections, expressing his willingness to challenge Miguel Albuquerque for the leadership for the third time.

Albuquerque's Stance

Miguel Albuquerque has repeatedly rejected the idea of an extraordinary congress or early elections, arguing that such moves would lead to a "fratricidal war" benefiting their opponents. He insists that the expectation of the people of Madeira is to have political stability through prompt elections.

Urgency for New Elections

On Thursday, during discussions with the Republican representative, Albuquerque reiterated the need for early elections, emphasizing that a prolonged political hiatus is not in the public's interest. The urgency for elections, marking the third set within a year and a half, has been echoed by opposition parties such as PS, Chega, and JPP, all calling for elections to be held "as quickly as possible."

Legislative Implications

The CDS-PP party has stated that elections should occur within a "reasonable timeframe" to allow parties to reassess their strategies, while IL has also expressed readiness for new elections. In light of the unanimous call for early elections, Ireneu Barreto, the Republican representative for Madeira, acknowledged his lack of success in finding a governmental solution and plans to meet with the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to discuss the situation, potentially proposing March 9th as the date for early elections.

Legal Framework and Party Dynamics

According to Article 19 of the Electoral Law for the Madeira Legislative Assembly, the President must set the election date with a minimum of 55 days' notice after dissolution. Should elections occur in mid-March, the timelines for PSD/Madeira internal elections would be tight. The party had recently faced elections after Miguel Albuquerque's resignation due to political instability linked to corruption investigations.

Implications for Internal Party Elections

The PSD's internal election process allows for a congress to be called by 300 members, though the decision rests with the Regional Council. The statutes require a congress to be announced 30 days in advance, and the regional political commission is elected through a secret ballot by party members.

Recent Congress and Leadership Challenges

In the last regional congress, held in April, Albuquerque was re-elected as leader. However, the dynamics within the party, particularly regarding the direct elections held in March, indicate ongoing tensions as Albuquerque faces competition from Correia, reminiscent of their previous contest in 2014.