The President of the Government reiterated in Horta the importance of reaching a unanimous position on the reform of Autonomy in the Region, which should be put to vote in the regional elections taking place this year. He defended that there should be no taboo subjects in this debate.
 
"I recognise the relevance of the work that has been carried out to achieve a unanimous position for a clear mandate of the Azorean People in the 2016 regional elections, said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Regional Government spoke Wednesday at the Legislative Assembly during a debate on a draft resolution for the Parliament to rule against the creation of the post of President of the Azores and the island governments, as proposed by PSD/Açores under a future revision of the Portuguese Constitution.
 
Before the members of the Regional Parliament, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the debate that has been conducted in the Azores on the reform of Autonomy demonstrates that "we are on the right track," highlighting "the richness and diversity of positions in this debate."
 
"I understand that this process should not be carried out hastily, neither to affirm nor to deny positions," the President of the Government said, defending that there should be no taboo subjects in the debate on the future of Autonomy.
 
"There is one thing about which I do not have the slightest doubt: without Autonomy we would be much worse. I strongly believe in the virtues of Autonomy and in the virtues of past Autonomy, but also in the virtues of future Autonomy. I believe in what we have managed to do from 1976 to the present time and in what we will manage to do in the future," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
In his speech delivered at the ceremony marking the Region Day in 2015 on Flores Island, Vasco Cordeiro defended the need to "explore new paths that combine solutions to bring politicians closer to voters with solutions towards mobilisation for democratic scrutiny and individual accountability as well as with solutions towards increased collective accountability and better organisation of decision-making processes on our islands."
 
At the time, the President of the Government stressed that "while this is a path that should not be followed hastily, it should be debated and analysed as much as possible so that each actor, including political parties, may present and submit their proposals to the Azoreans under the next regional elections to be held this year."
 
"In this process to improve and strengthen the democratic direction of our Autonomy, as President of the Government, I consider that it is my duty to participate and contribute to the debate and reflection on this issue," said Vasco Cordeiro.