It was another surreal political moment. Talking to journalists after a whistle-stop tour of Algarve agricultural initiatives last week, President Cavaco Silva affirmed: “One cannot ignore the voices of the people.” Yet he did just that in Silves, sweeping past an angry group of banner-waving protesters calling for his resignation as he arrived at red berry business Celpaberry in Silves.
“Around 50 protesters were carrying placards with slogans that read “Change politics and the government”, “Down with unemployment and job insecurity”, “Down with the government and the Troika” and “Save Barlavento Hospital” as they blew noisily on whistles.
“Cavaco ignored the demonstrators,” wrote Expresso newspaper, driving straight past them into Celpaberry and on with the tour.
“I think one can never ignore the voices one hears in the street,” he said later, “whatever they are, as long as they appear reasonable.”
Perhaps that was the problem – he may not have thought the voices in Silves were reasonable.
Cavaco’s media-sensitive day – shared with agriculture minister Assunção Cristas – went on to stress the importance of young people going back to the land, instead of emigrating.
“It is important not to forget that all our efforts right now have to be focused on the reinforcement of the economy, on economic growth, on improving social conditions and creating employment,” he stressed.
“For this to happen, the country has to have peace, security and public tranquility. It is fundamental that all the Portuguese are well aware of this,” he concluded.
