Around fifty PSP agents, GNR soldiers and prison guards demonstrated on Thursday night upon the arrival of the PS secretary general at the party rally taking place at the Açor Arena, in Vila Franca do Campo. The group of members of the security forces began the protest action in silence, later raising red cards to Pedro Nuno Santos.
The socialist leader did not ignore the protest and made a point of addressing the protesters, noting that he had already met with the ASPP association (Police Professionals Union Association) and that he will include measures for the security forces in the party’s electoral program at legislative elections on March 10th.
When Nuno Santos turned to make statements to journalists, the protesters – mostly dressed in black – began to sing the national anthem, similar to the protests that have taken place across the country, forcing the socialist leader to take a break from his speech.
“We understand and share your concerns. We are working on a solution so that you feel respected, valued, dignified”, said Pedro Nuno Santos, alongside Vasco Cordeiro and Francisco César, trying to calm the situation.
Rui Moutinho, leader of the ASPP, told Expresso that the security forces feel “disregarded” and that the protests will continue in the country so that the Government, now in charge, “once and for all resolve the situation”.
“We are here because we knew that the secretary general of the PS would be present to take our situation to the Government, which has to resolve the solution for the security forces”, he insisted, stressing that it is a question of sovereignty and not of autonomy.
At issue is the granting of a subsidy, a mission supplement to the PJ, by the Government, which left out the remaining security forces.
Asked about the farmers’ protests, Pedro Nuno acknowledged that the sector is “determining” for the country and that everything is not going well”, and “we need to solve problems that have not yet been resolved”. “There are answers that have to be changed because there is no produced the desired results”, he highlighted.
Therefore, “it is with respect, with empathy towards the problems of others and with humility that we look at different protests or expressions of discontent. The humility of recognizing that not everything worked, that there is a lot to do and a lot to change,” she added.