Following her shambolic TV performance yesterday (click here http://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/pais/2015-08-27-Governo-aprova-Estatuto-da-PSP-e-deixa-de-fora-GNR), Interior Minister Anabela Rodrigues woke up this morning to discover her last minute intervention over police statutes has not had the desired results: the police work-to-rule that has created a traffic fine “amnesty” is continuing, while the GNR force is now threatening all-out street demos.
The issue remains as to why after years of wrangling, the interior ministry neglected to approve professional statutes for both the PSP and GNR police forces at the same time.
Calling a press conference to announce approval of the former’s statutes, she said – among a series of rambling “errs….” – that the GNR’s did not “have the conditions to conclude”.
It was a declaration that has caused outrage within the GNR, with union boss César Nogueira saying there is now no other alternative than to mount street demonstrations.
“What happened is inadmissible,” he told reporters, many of whom had delighted in the minister’s performance by putting up clips on media websites.
“Anabela Rodrigues is the worst minister of internal administration in living memory,” agreed Virgílio Ministro, the head of the national association of prison guards, which is also awaiting approval of its statutes.
With forces “left out” now joining together to discuss new forms of protest, the PSP has confirmed it will not be relaxing the terms of its work-to-rule which is expected to knock millions off everyday State income by turning a blind-eye to traffic offences.
PSP union leader Paulo Rodrigues explained: “The actions of protest will continue until the syndicates have been able to adequately analyse the points agreed with the Ministry.”
Syndicate boss Mário Andrade agreed, saying “we will continue with our campaign ‘100 prevention’ (based on police advising people how not to break the law, but not being repressive in the process) until we have analysed the document”.
