“And theCatarina Martins defended our defense of a moment of great attack on human rights, a moment of attack on democracy and naturally it is an important moment for reflection and action on the left.”
Speaking to Lusa Agency, on the sidelines of the opening session of the cultural week, Sementeira, in Viseu, the block leader considered the meeting in Aveiro, this weekend, as important, as one of the focal points will be “the complex moment with the invasion of Russia in Ukraine”.
But also “the agreement in NATO in which European countries abandoned human rights principles for Turkey to accept” and even “other crises” that affect Portugal and Europe as well.
Among these, he referred to the climate, the crisis of present and future life, but also “the progress that we observe in Portugal and which is found throughout Europe, in the destruction of public services, especially health”.
He noted that “private health groups around the world are organizing intrusion into public health systems and they are the ones who responded to Covid-19”, both in Portugal and across Europe.
However, he noted, they “have become very fragile and, in fact, governments are allowing private health to take their place, because they are not strengthening public health systems and this is a problem that transcends all of Europe.”
“Definitely the inflation crisis. Prices are going up, wages are not going up. It happens all over Europe, it is especially dangerous in Portugal, because we have the highest prices in Europe in some sectors, such as fuel and housing, and wages are lower,” he added.
At the end of the meeting, Catarina Martins expressed her hope that “there will be a lot of convergence” in these areas and also in “climate”, specifically in energy and also “materials in controlling housing prices”. It is a problem sweeping Europe.”
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Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
