Novo Banco? Raimundo accuses Chega of hypocrisy for remaining silent

"It also reveals the choices, it also reveals the way of being and what is important, that there are some people out there who are so honest in finding excuses for everything and a pair of boots, to move forward with commissions of inquiry: it's this, it's that, it's one person's family, it's another person's cousin, it's the specific issue, whatever it may be, but on this issue, on this scam, on this operation, to take public resources, to put it in the pockets of capital, not a word, not a peep, not a little spasm there to give some animation to the thing. Hypocrisy, that's what is shameful", highlighted Paulo Raimundo.

The communist leader was speaking at the public presentation of the candidate of the Democratic Unitary Coalition (CDU) for the Coimbra City Council, Francisco Queirós, regarding the sale of Novo Banco to a French group.

Paulo Raimundo recalled the eight billion euros that "came out of everyone's pockets to put into the BES hole" and then an American fund "supposedly bought the bank with one thousand euros and didn't put in a cent".

And, at the end of the deal, he continued, "he made 1.7 million in profits per day from this deal and sold the bank to a French fund".

"We paid eight thousand ME from our own pockets, we practically see nothing in this deal... A great deal at our expense and at the expense of our resources and means. Yet another one", he maintained.

At the end of his speech, Raimundo, speaking to the Lusa news agency, said it was "curious how Chega, having this possibility, did not take the opportunity to set up a commission of inquiry into this", but did so regarding nationality.

"These are options. It is indeed curious, how is it that in the face of a scandal like this, of more than six thousand ME, we are all going to be harmed, once again, that is the priority", he reacted and, about this option he said: "They correspond to what they are: demagogues, liars, riding waves, creating issues, there is nothing new in that".

For more than 20 minutes, Paulo Raimundo also argued that "The Constitution of the Republic does not need to be revised, it does need to be complied with" and, as an example, listed several articles related to housing, health, family and peace.

"Article 46, the one that does not allow hatred, violence, fascists in our country. This article must be complied with", he demanded, while more than a hundred people present shouted "April 25th forever, fascism never again".

The presentation of candidate Francisco Queirós, who highlighted issues for the local elections such as "respect for municipal workers, green spaces, public transport and mobility", took place after a march on one of the streets in downtown Coimbra.

In the more than 400 meters covered, slogans such as: "The CDU advances with full confidence"; "A salary increase is fair and necessary"; "April 25th forever, fascism never again"; "Culture is a right, without it nothing can be done"; "There are many, many thousands of us to continue April"; "Peace yes, war no"; and "The public belongs to everyone, the private belongs to only a few".

Read Also: PCP wants the Government to block the sale and regain control of Novo Banco