When I write this text, the data on the television audience for the debate and voting on most of the State Budget for next year is not yet public, but I sincerely hope that it was not high on Tuesday.
What was witnessed during parts of the debate can only embarrass those who think that the Assembly of the Republic contains some of the best speakers and representatives of the professional classes to which they belong.
But none of this appeared on the second day of the discussion about the qualities, or lack thereof, of the document which demonstrates the revenues and expenses that the Government expects to exist in 2026. On the contrary, those who watched the broadcast heard insults, nostalgic references, accusations (with mentions of pedophilia cases) and a list of legal proceedings or suspected criminal actions targeting elements of one of the parties.
He also had the opportunity to see a party leader throw sheets of paper on the floor one by one as a sign of contempt for another party. And then when he went to pick them up he received applause from his companions. Or will they be followers in the good manner of a sect?
To this whole sad spectacle, which does nothing to favor the institution where legislation that manages our lives is approved, the patient president of the Assembly of the Republic asked for calm and, at a certain point, blurted out: “Democracy will continue regardless of the attempt to create incidents to create headlines in the press.”
In other words, the budget was the least interesting of the day, the important thing was to put on a show. It’s just a shame it was so bad.
Given this sadness – it should be noted that this was not even the first time that this had happened since a certain political force emerged – it is no wonder that conversations can be heard on the street that begin calmly and end almost in insults, as I witnessed very recently on a terrace. What seemed like an exchange of opinions ended with one of the participants shouting to the other that he would not speak to him again. This with several people watching.
But, with the examples that appear on television, who can criticize? All that remains is to apologize, with someone else’s shame, to anyone who doesn’t recognize the attitudes of the deputies. And, perhaps, say “Enough” to this warlike way of being.
Executive editor of Diário de Notícias