With the financial world still in turmoil as a result of a political campaign in which both sides appear to have lied, it is heartening to hear a former head of state speak out for political accountability.
General Ramalho Eanes was the man at the helm of Portugal as it made the historic transition from almost half a century of dictatorship.
He was decorated by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa today, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the presidential elections within a democracy, on June 27, 1976.
President Marcelo has described him as “serious, honest, austere, courageous, incorruptible”. But it is what Eanes said that was so interesting.
He defended the need for the presidential role to include “the verification of financial feasibility of promises made during election campaigns”, writes Diário de Notícias, adding that he stressed it is “indispensable” that Portugal returns to the “ethical roots of politics”.
He was almost certainly referring to the convoluted maths with which today’s government has been trying to justify its controversial State Budget, but against the background of the ‘In/ Out’ referendum in UK – where no politician appears to have done real straight talking – the message could not be more timely.
A president of the Republic “should certainly solicit government, parties and parliament for information”, he said, adding that the information should be given to lay people as well, so that “the financial feasibility of certain electoral promises” are understood and they do not go on to “prejudice the future of the nation, or be impossible to deliver, as we have already seen”.
Talking to journalists after his speech, 81-year-old Eanes said it was “not a criticism. It is a demand for truth in the relationship between politicians and the people”.
Decorated on Monday with the Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator, Eanes was presented on Saturday with a sword, as a symbol of the bravery of the military that toppled Portugal’s dictatorship in 1974.
Eanes gave the sword back to President Marcelo, telling him to “keep it safe” and pass it on to his successors as a symbol of trust in the country’s armed forces.
By NATASHA DONN [email protected]
Photo: General Ramalho Eanes was decorated by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the presidential elections within a democracy, on June 27, 1976.
Photo by: TIAGO PETINGA/LUSA
