Portuguese socialists are open to negotiating agreements on common measures

Lisbon (Portugal), Mar 19 (EFE) - The leader of the Portuguese Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, reiterated on Wednesday that he will be opposition because he does not have a majority to be able to present a government solution but he was open to negotiating agreements with the center-right on common measures.

Camera: Paula Fernández.

FOOTAGE OF THE MEETING BETWEEN THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE LUSO SOCIALIST PARTY, PEDRO NUNO SANTOS, AND THE PRESIDENT OF PORTUGAL, MARCELO REBELO DE SOUSA IN LISBON, PORTUGAL. INCLUDES STATEMENTS BY PEDRO NUNO SANTOS.

TRANSLATIONS:

1: The statement I made last Sunday stands. At this moment the counting of the votes of the emigrant constituencies is in progress, no profound change is expected from Sunday's election results. And that is why we come to this hearing with the President of the Republic without a government solution supported by a majority. And that is the most relevant fact, the country needs a stable Government. The Socialist Party does not have a majority to present.

2: The leader of the coalition (Democratic Alliance, Luis Montenegro) is expected to present a stable Government solution tomorrow. The country needs a strong and stable Government, but it also needs a stable, strong and solid opposition, and that is what we will be. The Socialist Party will be in this new political framework the opposition, the democratic alternative to an AD Government.

3: But, obviously, on issues where there are points of view in common and the possibility of understanding, the Socialist Party is open to those understandings materializing. Throughout the campaign it was notorious to all that there was a broad consensus beyond the Socialist Party itself and AD on the need to improve the salary careers of some professional groups in the public administration. And there being the will, we have that will and we believe that there is no reason to drag our feet on this issue. The Government that is still in office left us an economic, financial, and political situation that allows us to take that step forward and the Socialist Party wants to be part of that solution. Therefore, we are available to find with the winning coalition (AD), with the Government, a solution that will allow these professionals to have their situation resolved by the summer.