Secretary-General's speech Jose Socrates - XVII Congress of the Socialist Party - Opening Session



Opening session

XVII Congress of the Socialist Party

Secretary General of the intervention José Sócrates

8 of April of 2011





1. Greetings



Dear Party Chairman, friend António Almeida Santos, is a great honor - a great honor for me but an honor also for the Socialist Party - could tell you. Able to count on his judiciary, with his intelligence and his wisdom. But above all, able to count on his dedication, his commitment and loyalty of every hour. It's this that makes you, Almeida Santos, a great friend and a great guy. A civic reference, a political reference for all socialists, today and forever!



I greet with great friendship our hosts. The Socialist Federation of the District of Porto and its president, Renato Sampaio; and also the President of Concelhia and President of Matosinhos, our comrade Guilherme Pinto. Fulfill all the mayors of the Socialist Party, which so honor us with their work at the service of the people.



Compliance, also, the Bureau, the Honor Committee and the Organizing Committee of this Congress, chaired by Joaquim Raposo - whom I thank publicly all your work in the service of PS.



I also welcome all of our guests. And I extend a special word of greeting to the representation, always committed and strong, the Young Socialists. We rely on young people to build the future and enhance the quality of Portuguese democracy!



I turn finally to all Congressmen, the militants and supporters of PS and all the Portuguese who accompany us.



2. Thanks to PS



I want first of all to the opening of this Congress and before the Socialist Party, start by thanking your vote. Your very clear and very significant vote of confidence in the election for Secretary General.



As you may have noticed, some of our political opponents love to choose leaders. They love it! It is a task, moreover, which was often devote enthusiastically and often. See, since I'm here, as the PS Secretary-General, has met five leaders of the PSD: Santana Lopes, Marques Mendes, Luís Filipe Menezes, Manuela Ferreira Leite and Pedro Passos Coelho. Five! And I tell you one thing, I do not know if the thing is here! I do not know…!



Sometimes I think it might be better the position of President of the PSD now be rotating - it was always the way to get all happy and calm the lust for power that causes all that excitement ...



But, comrades, in their party, let them do as they wish. Because there is a principle - which has worked well in the Portuguese democracy and I think we should maintain. The principle is this: there they choose their leaders, here we choose our. Because here in the Socialist Party, who chooses our leadership are the militants of the PS, is no one else !!



I therefore thank your vote and your confidence. But thank you much, much more than that.



What I appreciate is the support of the Socialist Party always over the years. Strong support even in the most difficult hours of difficult governance we had to do in the service of the country!



Thank you for your strength - the strength, solidarity and cohesion of the PS. Thank you for your sincere solidarity, a solidarity that always felt throughout the country. And your many words of comfort. Words of encouragement. Words of encouragement. Those words never failed me - never! - A day that was.



They tell me - among other things that now are beside the point - I am a leader with courage. That's what they say. Do not know. We only know our strength when we are tested. Can not anyone be good judge in his own cause. But there's one thing I know: I know that I do owe a big thanks to the strength, determination and courage of PS! Yes: the courage of PS! Because the PS never turned to face the fight. The PS always said "present" and was there whenever we had to take risks to serve the interests of Portugal!



This party did what no one else did: it was able to put aside their electoral interests to do what was his duty: to support the reforms that the country needs and face up to the difficulties of the international crisis. As had been done in other difficult times in our democratic history, the Socialist Party was confirmed in this crisis as a party of courage, a party which is able to run all risks to serve the Portuguese and Portugal to serve!



3. We will fight for victory



Dear friends and comrades,



It is an honor to lead this party and deserve your trust. And I will do everything to honor that trust. I believe that after this time, as everyone realized exactly what that means. And it means a very simple thing: I'm not one to run away! I'm not. I did not turn to face the difficulties! My responsibility is to fight, to do my best and honor the trust of the Portuguese, serving my country! That's what I've always done and that's what I will continue to do!



And I also tell you another thing: over the years, we serve Portugal in very difficult circumstances. Tremendously difficult. But we know our work. We know what we did. And you can be sure: I have pride in what they have done for this country, what have we done to modernize Portugal. This work honors the best tradition of the Socialist Party!



Therefore, comrades and friends, I tell you this: I'm not afraid of elections or the democratic judgment of the Portuguese. I trust the judgment of the Portuguese. And I will fight with joy for the victory!



4. The cause of the political crisis: irresponsible, who put partisan interests ahead of national interest



Dear friends



I wish, through you, to address myself to all the Portuguese at this time.



Unfortunately, it is now very clear - and well before all - to plunge the country this political crisis was one tremendíssima irresponsibility. It is irresponsible to put the country in a very serious and very serious situation. A really serious situation!



And I believe that the country can not go through this without stopping a moment to think about what happened. The country needs to look with eyes to see, for all that has happened in recent weeks and the attitudes of the various political players in the way this crisis.



The truth is that, as I had warned, from the rejection of PEC in Parliament on March 23, and only a fortnight - fifteen days! - Portugal was simply dragged into a terrible financial situation. So much so that I was forced to ask for foreign aid, with very serious consequences for our country.



Portugal and the Portuguese were making a big effort. A great effort. And this effort must have earned a minimum of respect and consideration by the opposition parties. This effort was part of the country's response to the call the sovereign debt crisis. A crisis which, since last year, has shaken financial markets and hit all European countries, and especially the so-called peripheral countries such as Portugal.



The country, enduring all difficulties, was to know that answer. Adopted and took tough measures. Difficult but necessary to reduce the public deficit. And the government was able to present increasingly positive results in budget execution. The whole country was waging this battle. A battle for confidence. Confidence with financial markets and confidence in international institutions. Why is trust in the country which guarantees state funding. It is this trust that guarantees the financing of the economy and businesses.



Was so that Portugal could win this battle that the government presented its Stability and Growth Programme, called the PEC IV. A program that served an essential purpose: to prove, and convincing evidence, that Portugal would effectively meet its budget goals and fulfill its commitments. He said it at the time - and today, virtually no one doubts - that PEC was absolutely necessary. He was part of the solution to our problems, which is why, incidentally, had the support and vote of confidence from the European Commission, the European Central Bank and of our European partners.



Trust, therefore. That program of measures meant this: trust. A very important victory in the battle of the country by the trust.



But what happened then? The very night in which the government won in Brussels this vote of confidence from the European institutions, that is that it was to remind the leader of the PSD? That is who remembered after all opposition parties, the right to the extreme left?



They did not remember to help the country? To respect the Portuguese effort? To think about the national interest? Unfortunately not. It does not occur to them. What they remembered was opening a political crisis. You see, a political crisis at a time like this!



And frankly, this happens all the marks of levity: then the country the need to show signs of responsibility and confidence to markets and international institutions, and at that precise moment, the PSD leader only knows how to count the way you can give open a political crisis ?!



The truth is that they acted to think of a single thing: the lust for power. They acted just thinking in their partisan interests and in their haste they had to come to power! And not looked at the media: they took the carpet to the country and would not even know the interests of Portugal, or the interests of the Portuguese!



But I also say the Portuguese judge will know what happened. Portuguese realize very well that this political crisis was a disaster. A unconsciousness. A total irresponsibility. And I know that if someone is able to so harm your country just to satisfy their partisan interests, it is because it is not up to the responsibilities of this moment and is not in a position to lead the Government of Portugal!





5. The serious consequences of the political crisis: after all, it was for this? A tragic error in judgment.



And none of this was due to lack of notice. This was not.



The Portuguese are witnesses: and I called, days on end, dialogue, negotiation, to common sense. I got to say that the Government was even available to exchange those other measures that would enable the same results. But the Portuguese also heard the answer. And the answer came that usual sermon tone, very grave and serious, "the PSD is irreducible." I-rre-du-ible.



I warned him well for evidence of the very serious consequences that rejection of PEC would have for the Portuguese economy; for the rating of the Republic; for the rating of banks; for the interest that the Portuguese pay and the risks in financing that the country needs. Said so, in so many words, that a political crisis, a time like this, could drag the country into the arms of the IMF ... But the answer came there, always the same, always in the same tone: "i-rre-du -tível. The PSD is irreducible. "



And it was always like to vote on PEC: on one side the PS and the Government to want to negotiate and try until the last moment to avoid the political crisis; and on the other, the PSD "irreducible" and vow to push for Portugal this crisis.



Then what is amazing is that we still had to hear senior officials of PSD - those who always go to accuse the Government of not knowing predict the future - to appear on television to say, with the utmost rudeness, we were dramatizing and that despite the rating of Portugal political crisis would not download anything, on the contrary, would only rise up to the rating agencies realize that the PSD would go to power! It is indeed remarkable! But the worst is that it's not funny: all this unconsciousness, this whole tragic error of judgment will be expensive, very expensive, to Portugal and to the Portuguese. And the Portuguese did not deserve. They did not deserve to have them do this to them!



Portugal had a solution, which was discarded. And the result is this: until March 23, the day the opposition coligou to reject the PEC and cause the resignation of the government, the country has always been able to secure funding from the state and its economy. From day 23, the financial situation has worsened sharply, to the point that only fifteen days later, Portugal was forced to ask for external financial assistance.



These are the facts. And before these facts the Portuguese have the right, have every right to make a very simple question to the leader of the PSD: but then went to this? It was for this that he decided to put the country in this political crisis? It was for this to be resolved "irreducible" and refusal to negotiate with the government? It was to aggravate the financial situation of the country? It was to force Portugal to resort to outside help? It was to subject the Portuguese to tougher measures than those which were set out in the SGP? But after all, what the country stood to gain from the irresponsibility of PSD to cause political crisis ?!



I know, the PSD will say that the country, that, did not win anything; but the PSD at least got what it wanted: the marking of early elections. And that's the whole truth. The direction of the PSD will have elections that both wanted. But beware, gentlemen: one thing is to have elections, quite another to win them. Because to win elections, we need to earn it. And this political crisis showed that this direction of the PSD deserves anything but win elections!



6. A course for Defender Portugal in the context of foreign aid



Dear friends



Portugal will enter now in the difficult negotiating the terms and conditions of the request for financial assistance. So, once again, we must defend the interests of Portugal and Portuguese. This matter is very serious and no more unconsciousnesses and irresponsibility.



As the Government of the Socialist Party, the Portuguese know what they can count on. We know the country's situation, problems of governance, the processes that are underway. And we will be in this negotiation with our responsibility program of consolidation of public finances, which has received the support of the European institutions. But also with our vision of always on the importance of public services and state social protection, to a more just and more equal opportunities.



But in the political situation that has been created, it is necessary that the opposition parties also assume they finally their responsibilities, which are many. So, we have to say it is very difficult to know for sure the Portuguese with where they stand. Because the truth is that the largest opposition party opened this political crisis by refusing always to submit their proposals, your measurements, your alternatives. The situation is this: the PSD comes after six years of opposition - six years! - And this causes political crisis without even have a program, a project and a credible alternative to govern Portugal.



The disorientation, the total mess that was installed in the main opposition party as soon as you opened this political crisis speaks volumes about the unpreparedness of the PSD. All have seen this show: First, said the PEC was a great surprise and it was not even necessary, then after the problem is that the SGP was not going far enough; first, the PEC was evil and had to be rejected because increased taxes, then, after all, it was necessary to further raise taxes, increasing VAT to 25%; first, there were limits to the sacrifices, especially on the income of the people, then there confessed in a statement in English that what was needed was to attack the jobs funded by the State. And maybe even cut in the 13th month of the Portuguese!





7. An especially revealing proposal: the partial privatization of Caixa Geral de Depósitos



But there is a proposal - a proposal made in black and white, the PSD leader himself - which is very revealing and it has to be known and debated in Portuguese society. Because the case is serious, very serious: the idea of ​​partial privatization of Caixa Geral de Depósitos.



In the financial crisis, when the case is of absolutely strategic importance to safeguard the public interest and serve as a benchmark for stability and security in our financial system, the PSD leader thinks this is the right time to put the Caixa Geral de Depósitos this adventure, totally frivolous, of privatization, even partial, of its share capital.



I do not even speak the sell-out that would obviously privatize the case at a time like this, devaluation of assets. But going public to private box, leave it hostage to other financial interests and even of foreign capital; and making Portugal the only World country that, during the financial crisis, commits the imprudence to privatize state-owned bank - that says it all about the danger that Portugal would be governed by those who do not stop to think; for those who are not prepared and by whom, to all problems, only knows repeat the verb of the liberal agenda that taught him: privatize, privatize, privatize.



Our country and our financial system need anything but dangerous adventures and solutions on the knee. They need, rather, stability, prudence and a rigorous sense of responsibility.



8. Our program: Defender Portugal and Building the Future, for growth and employment



Contrary to what happens with the right, the Socialist Party has a clear direction and proposals assumed for the future. We have discussed these ideas, either in the party or with independents who accompany us in the Movement New Frontiers in Respublica Foundation and other spaces enlarged share. And this Congress will approve our motion strategy, which will be the basis of the PS election program.



And there are three fundamental things we have to say.



First, say the Portuguese, clearly, there is still a difficult road to walk and that, unfortunately, things are further complicated with this absurd political crisis that dragged the country to foreign aid. But we also say to the Portuguese that their effort has meaning and will have an end. We will turn every page of this crisis and that is why we have proposed concrete measures for the consolidation of public finances and restore confidence in the markets and in international institutions.



Second, it guarantees the Portuguese that despite the urgency in reducing the deficit and public debt, we will continue the movement of reforms to prepare for the future towards a stronger and more competitive economy: with more qualifications of the Portuguese; harder exports and more business support; with more technology in the administration, economy, society; with less bureaucracy in public services; more renewable energy and less dependence on foreign energy. We defend Portugal, now as always, also now preparing this better future for the Portuguese economy and for future generations: a future of more growth, more jobs and more opportunities for Portugal and the Portuguese.



Third, the Portuguese give this guarantee: we will try to put the public accounts in order safeguarding the essential pillars of the State social protection. We know that the future and sustainability of the welfare state reforms to require more rigor, more efficiently and more equity. And we launched these reforms, when many wanted everything to be the same. We know that reducing the deficit in the public accounts requires restraint and rigor also in social expenditure, so that the social support from the state do not miss those most in need. But the truth is that qualify public services and always preserve the pillars of the welfare state protection:. Public Social Security, public schools and the National Health Service and not abdicate the tools necessary to build a more just and more equal opportunities!



9. Three areas for a decisive choice: the labor market, health and education



And here there are at least three areas in which the country will be called upon to make decisive choices in the upcoming elections: the labor market, health and education.



In the labor market, since it was realized, the right has a vision of things, the PS has another.



The PS has already made its reform of labor legislation and collective bargaining unlocked. And it's available to fix, in a responsible manner, stiffness indicators of the labor market, align them with European solutions more favorable to workers. We have already presented these proposals and reached a good agreement on a social pact, with the participation of the UGT and entrepreneurs.



The PSD has already said what he wanted and wrote it up in the draft constitutional revision: Free dismissal. They want to eliminate the prohibition of unfair dismissal. More: they want to increase the precariousness and insecurity in the labor market with this extraordinary proposal of contracts to verbal period. The PSD proposed, it is good to remember, and it is written, that to hire young or unemployed for more than six months should suffice to fix the boss-term employment contract orally, without written paper, all in 31 mouth. That would mean total insecurity and total arbitrariness in labor relations. There is therefore a very important choice here that the Portuguese will have to make in the next elections.



Second area where there is a decisive choice to make: the area of ​​health. Here too, the Portuguese know the proposals and the work of the PS. Was the PS which created the National Health Service and was with our governance that reformed and improved the responsiveness of health services. Reduced waiting lists, increased the number of consultations and surgeries. We have built and are building several new hospitals. We qualify the network of primary health care and launched the new Family Health Units. We have created all new Continuing Care Network, to better serve our seniors and other patients in a situation of dependency. We instituted the sale of medicines outside pharmacies, promote access to medicine, and increased significantly the share of generic drugs. Our path has always been clear: to improve the National Health Service This we did, this is what we intend to continue to do..



Here too, the PSD has another view of things - and the Portuguese will have to choose whether they want it or not. The idea of ​​the PSD is to provoke a rupture with the National Health Service we all know. And it is written in the draft constitutional PSD review: PSD wants to end the principle of trend gratuitousness of the National Health Service This therefore means one thing:. Patients who need to use the state health services will pay not just user fees - that indeed many Portuguese are exempt - but also the cost of own delivery of health care: the cost of consultations, the cost of diagnostic tests, the cost of surgery, the cost of hospitalization, the cost In short, the health care they receive.



The last time someone asked the PSD leader who is ultimately going to pay what, and how much the Portuguese would pay, Dr. Passos Coelho, with the usual lightness, but always with that grave and serious air, explained that I did not have the answer in his pocket. The truth, he confessed, that he had no idea.



For now another matter: here come the elections and the Portuguese will choose its future. It is therefore in the PSD leader height respond in a way that is perceived: after all, in its proposal, which is the Portuguese who, in addition to that already pay taxes, will now also pay for the right to health? Which are? And how much will you pay? This response must be given and it must be given now.



But I also say, whatever that answer, the following: I want the Portuguese know, before deciding to whom we must govern, who have here a choice really decisive to do and that the vote in PS means one thing very clear: it means say "yes" to the National Health Service; and to say "no" to the liberal project and adventurous of the current direction of PSD to end the principle of free, which is one of the pillars of the National Health Service, we have built in the last thirty years of democracy and we will defend these elections !



And attention, the issue of the National Health Service is a decisive choice for our collective future. When we adopted the Constitution thirty-five years ago we made this fundamental choice: that all Portuguese should be equal when it comes to access to health, the fight against suffering and the defense of life.



But let there be no misunderstanding. This is not to advocate egalitarianism. We like the difference and diversity that gives strength and vitality to companies. What I understand is that in health, to combat suffering and defending the value of life equality is the supreme value. That's the good society in which I believe. This is the society in which we socialists believe.



That's why we fight and fight every day for reforms to improve the National Health Service but reforms that improve.; not adventurous changes that jeopardize. Why jeopardize the National Health Service is the same as calling into question the value of equality, equity and the value of the dignity of human life.



A third area in which commands a decisive choice is the area of ​​education. Here too the path of PS in defense of the public school qualification is known. Substantially improved the performance in education and the quality of learning, as proven by the PISA report. Reduced in much the abandonment and school failure, increased the supply of vocational education, we closed more than 3000 schools without conditions and build new and modern school centers in an unprecedented movement of renovation of schools in all over the country. All we reformed the first basic cycle; We guarantee access to new technologies by schools, teachers and students; We introduce more demanding in assessing the performance of schools, teachers and students; We reorganized the management and open more schools to involve parents and the community. Our project is a project of qualification of public school.



It is very different from the proposal of the PSD. The PSD proposes that the state no longer has an obligation to ensure a network of public education establishments for everyone. It is available, as it proved that shameful last minute electioneering maneuver in Parliament to exchange a serious process of evaluation of teachers by any facilitista solution, as their electoral interests and they believe to be an easy popularity. But above all, the PSD proposes to spend public money to finance the freedom of choice of private schools. We all know what this means: transfer funds from public schools to private schools. It is to make public school a school for poor and getting poorer. Less and less able to provide the public service that the country needs to tackle inequalities and give fairer opportunities for all.



The state's duty is not only to ensure education for all. The state's duty today is to ensure a good education for all.

The firmer guarantee of equal access to knowledge, equality in access to knowledge, basically, equal opportunities in performing each one is undoubtedly the public school quality, modern and efficient. But public. Not a public school for poor and a private school for the rich. This is accentuating inequalities and give up a development ideal for everyone to give their best for the country.



The vote in the PS mean therefore the refusal of this ultra-liberal adventure against public school. The vote will be a vote in the PS in the future and quality of Portuguese public school!



10. The useful choice left



Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the labor market, health, education: there is here decisive choices to make in the next elections. Because the choice will be between a government led by the PS or a government led by the PSD.



That's why the votes wasted on our left are votes that favor the right path to power. And frankly, enough's enough. Sectarianism, blindness against the PS of the Communist Party and the Left Bloc, led us first, presentation of motions of censure against the Government of PS and then join with the right to overthrow the government and offer the right the opportunity to seize power. More: to offer the IMF a chance to get in Portugal!



Particularly the Left Bloc, which fed so many illusions in so many people, today is a big disappointment. A huge disappointment.



But the left of Portuguese can not make the same mistakes that were made by these parties. Now the question is with voters, it is with the Portuguese. And the truth is that only the concentration of votes on PS can stop the liberal agenda, adventurous and dangerous right against the public services and the decline of the welfare state!



11. Responsibility, the keyword for the choice of Portuguese



In choosing the Portuguese will do, there is a keyword: the word responsibility.



This is no time for experiments, or for adventures. This is no time for ideas in the air and dangerous agendas, which no one notices, no one understands - and no one wants to explain.



This time requires responsibility. A sensible governance, you know putting up all the general interest of all the Portuguese, the national interest.









































