Pereira Coutinho runs for Portuguese Parliament, denies new party link

Pereira Coutinho

Macau’s Legislative Assembly lawmaker José Pereira Coutinho has confirmed his intentions to run for a seat at the Portuguese Parliament this autumn, but denied that he will be running for the Portuguese general elections under the Democratic Republican Party ticket.
Portuguese Member of the European Parliament (MEP) António Marinho e Pinto launched the Democratic Republican Party (PDR) last year after deciding to leave the Earth Party, under which he had secured a seat at the European Parliament.
A source close to lawmaker Coutinho had told the Times that he would be running under the PDR’s ticket.
The lawmaker and president of the Macau Civil Servants Association (ATFPM) said that he would only be disclosing further information, including which ticket he is running under, once the elections for the Council of the Portuguese Communities begin in September.
“Yes, I’m considering running [for Portuguese Parliament]. But we are now focusing on the elections for the Council of the Portuguese Communities and we will disclose further details when appropriate,” he told The Times over the phone.
“It’s not that party. It’s not. I cannot disclose any further details for now,” he stressed.
Mr Coutinho hinted that this year’s general elections would provide a good source of momentum to make sure that Portuguese communities’ concerns reach the national Parliament.
“We believe it’s time for someone to voice Portuguese communities’ concerns in Lisbon. We want their hopes, wishes, and demands to have a voice. We are also looking to ensure that promoting the Portuguese language and culture abroad is seen as a priority by [the government] in Lisbon,” he explained.
Mr Coutinho is positive he will be able to juggle his work at Macau’s Legislative Assembly with his obligations to the Portuguese Parliament if he wins a seat.
“I wouldn’t have to be based in Lisbon, and everyone knows how important it is for someone representing the Portuguese communities to actually be in close contact with them [outside Portugal],” he recalled, adding that it would be possible to strike a balance, enabling him to take on both jobs.
However, Lusa news agency reported that serving as a lawmaker in both Macau and Portugal might raise legal issues. Under Portuguese parliamentary by-laws, government officials of overseas countries and lawmakers representing a foreign country cannot serve as Parliament lawmakers.
Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho’s ruling coalition will face the Socialists, the biggest opposing party, in the country’s general elections on October 4.
Coutinho is currently in Lisbon, where he said he will be meeting with representatives of different entities to discuss enhancing the relations between Portugal and Macau.
He told Lusa news agency that he will be meeting with party representatives in Portugal. Mr Coutinho added that his views are “independent,” but acknowledged that he has had a good relationship with the Portuguese government throughout the years, and is able to hold talks with any political party.
José Pereira Coutinho is also running for the Council of the Portuguese Communities (CCP) elections that are due to take place on September 6. CCP, of which Coutinho is a member, is the Portuguese government’s advisory body on emigration and issues facing Portuguese communities abroad.
He concluded by saying that, “we are confident we can do more for the Portuguese communities across the world. I’ve had the chance to meet the Prime Minister and he said he is looking to attend the opening of the Portuguese Consulate in Guangzhou [scheduled for October]. It’s something that we have been demanding and we hope it helps to boost the Portuguese economy.”

Coutinho calls for Gov’t to legislate on trade unions

Lawmaker José Pereira Coutinho has called on the government to draft laws to regulate trade unions, collective bargaining and strikes. Through a spoken enquiry, Coutinho recalled that under article 27 of Macau’s Basic Law, citizens are entitled to establish associations, and to strike. However, he said that these rights are not being properly safeguarded, due to the lack of specific laws regulating trade unions and collective bargaining. Furthermore, he asked the government if Macau is complying with international labor conventions. Legislative Assembly lawmakers have vetoed a trade union bill tabled by lawmaker Coutinho for the sixth time this year.