The president of PS-Madeira, Célia Pessegueiro, criticized the Regional Government president, Miguel Albuquerque, for denying the Region's poverty figures.
According to Pessegueiro, the fact that Albuquerque does not acknowledge this reality is "halfway to doing nothing to change the situation." The socialist leader referred to a report by the European Anti-Poverty Network indicating that one in five Madeirans are at risk of poverty.
Pesqueiro finds it strange that the Government president denies this reality, especially when the data comes from an entity with which the Executive has collaborated. She argues that just as good results are celebrated, less favorable ones should also be acknowledged to be integrated into policies for reversing the situation.
The socialist leader also pointed out contradictions within the Regional Government, which on one hand strengthens the PROAGES program for needy families and, on the other, denies official poverty data. "There is no other way to seriously address this issue than to recognize this reality. There are situations of need and deprivation that must be acknowledged and integrated into the Regional Government's policies," she stressed.
