Portugal yearns
for political stability
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Portugal goes to the Parliamentary polls on May 18. The third election in as many years following the collapse of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s centre-right coalition Government on March 11 after barely 11 months in office. The voters are understandably increasingly frustrated with the political class over the worst political instability being witnessed in Portugal while every general election is costing the taxpayers around 30 million Euros.
The fall of the Montenegro government was due to an alleged conflict of interest in obtaining Government contracts. Similarly, in November 2023, Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s administration was embroiled in an alleged corruption scandal involving his chief of staff, while Costa resigned paving the way for the last elections held in March 2024.
The successive political crises have led to frequent electoral cycles and heightened public disenchantment with traditional political institutions. Portugal is also grappling with the alarming problem of refugees and illegal immigrants. The government is facing grave financial challenges in dealing with these issues. A very heavy burden indeed. Understandably, there is a feeling of disquiet amongst the locals as crime and lawlessness is raising its ugly head.
In the May 18 General elections, the Portuguese nationals in Goa will be casting their votes at the Consulate at Althinho in Panjim. I could have exercised my franchise at the Embassy in London. However, I decided to be in Portugal for a few days to witness the political discourse and cast my vote in Lisbon on 18th May. For a student of Political Science, this keenly contested election is worth observing.
Let’s hope that the outcome of this democratic election results in a stable and sustainable Government that acts with the utmost integrity in the best interests of its people.
Aires Rodrigues, Lisbon
Ban fireworks
during wartime
In an order issued on Friday, South Goa has reportedly prohibited the operation, flying or use of drones or any Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) regardless of size or category. The move comes as a result of the escalating tensions along the border with Pakistan and the heightened threat perception in terms of internal security, critical infrastructure vulnerability and civilian safety. This is a step in the right direction and needs to be extended to the entire state including North Goa. Be that as it may, it would be in the fitness of things to extend the ban to the use of firecrackers, bomb firecrackers and fireworks, especially rockets which are a part of any celebration.
The use of fireworks can be banned for several factors, primarily related to security and public safety. Firecrackers, bomb firecrackers and fireworks, while often used for celebratory purposes, can be misused in a wartime environment. This can cause panic among the citizens. Fireworks, especially rockets, could even be mistaken for missiles. Fireworks can be a source of joy and celebration. However their potential for misuse by anti-social elements in order to create panic during wartime far outweigh their benefits thereby exacerbating the existing tense situation. Firecrackers and bomb firecrackers can be used to simulate attacks. Though there is no specific wartime ban on firecrackers and fireworks in India, it would be in the fitness of things to implement the ban, especially at marriage and other celebrations.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
The new Pope
The entire world, particularly the 1.4 billion Catholic community was on tenterhooks in the last two days and from the time the 133 Cardinals of the Papal Conclave got themselves confined in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next Pontiff to succeed Pope Francis who passed away
recently. Contrary to various guesses that were floating in the media about the highly probable candidates to become the next Pope, a little known missionary from Chicago turned out to be the surprise choice of the Papal Conclave for this holy seat, confirming the strong belief that zeroing in on the right one among themselves numbering 133 as the next Shepherd of the Holy Church is only through the indulgence of God.
The new Pope’ assumed the papal name Leo XIV. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost created history not only by becoming the first American to be elected as the Holy Father but also as the first one to be chosen from the Order of St Augustine to which he belongs. Moreover, this is the first time such a thing has happened in the 2000 year long history of the Church.
It is also heartening to learn that the late Pope Francis happened to be the mentor of Pope Leo XIV. It seems highly impressed with the services rendered by him to the poor, downtrodden and immigrants in Peru as Bishop, Francis elevated Bishop Robert Prevost as a Cardinal in 2023 and believed that he was fit to become the Pope one day.
On his first appearance to the thousands of people who had assembled in St Peter’s Square to hear him and get his blessings, the new Pope commenced his speech saying, ‘Peace be with you ‘denoting how his papacy is going to be. As one who not only has Francis in his name but also the adorable values of peace making, love for the poor and differentlyabled and humility which were embedded in the late Pope, we can be rest assured that the new Pope’ will only be a replica of Pope Francis.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Pakistan has been taught
lesson for life
We have given a befitting reply to the terrorists and Pakistan by land, sea and air with Operation Sindoor which they will not forget for a long time and hopefully desist from any adventurous activity against us.
It was reported in the papers recently that Pakistan has ammunition for its artillery for just 4 days. So it will not be long before the Pakistani guns bombarding the LoC go silent. The confirmation that the Pakistan Army Chief of Staff, Asim Munir has been sacked will be an indication that Pakistan has learnt its lesson and will be scaling down its response to our strikes against the terror infrastructure it has built over the years.
There are rumors that there has been a coup in the Pakistan Army and Asim Munir has been removed and placed under arrest. If this is true, he will probably understand that his tongue got the better of him in instigating the Pahalgam terror attack and its consequent repercussions and he will refrain from such irresponsible comments in the future.
Srinivas Kamat, Mysore
