The revolt within the Socialists - against the agreement with the radicals

Francisco Assis, Member of the European Parliament

 considers "unthinkable" and a "historic mistake" 

the agreement of Costa with the communists (PCP) and the radical (BE).

"Half of the socialist electorate is frightened 

by the obvious drifting of the party to the extreme left a

nd what we are planning for this Saturday in Mealhada, 

is nothing in comparision to what the supporters 

of the current secretary-general did to the previous direction,"

(obviously referring to Costa's back-stabbing of the previous leader, A.J. Seguro), 

said a socialist source, terrified with risk of the PS' swerve to the extreme left. 

"The party is in danger of 'pasokization' and 'syrization'. 

There is a clear drift to the extreme left and this is very dangerous," 

warns the same source, considering that the party 

"should have some kind of reservation, 

to avoid putting all the chips in Costa António" 

especially in a future dispute for the socialists leadership.

"It is very important to show to the country, that there is, 

in fact, in the socialist party, (PS), those who defend a different solution 

from that which is apparently prevalent at the moment, and that to me, 

consists of a historic mistake," said Francisco Assis, 

who considers "unthinkable a socialist (PS) agreement with the communists (PCP) 

and the radical Block ". 

The Socialist MEP recognizes that there are "many people in the PS 

against an agreement of this dimension" 

and states that, he has the courage to take a divergent view 

from the official party line.

Francisco Assis says he has no doubt that the PS 

will "pay dearly for this approach to the left" 

and states that "a government of this nature, 

is a government with a large incapacity to make any reforms": 

"A PS government backed by a party as conservative 

as that of the communists (PCP) and with a contradictory party 

like the Left Bloc 

inhibits the country from having the ability to promote necessary reforms 

that the country so urgently need."

Underlining the importance of the country making "serious reforms", 

Assis stresses the need for the "PS to have a reformist agenda, 

just as the right-wing party of the government already has." 

"The right has an ultra-liberal reform agenda that is not ours. 

We have to have a truly social democratic reform agenda 

and I do not believe that with this agreement 

with the radical left-wing parties 

a reform agenda would be successful, "he says.

Speaking to the PUBLICO newspaper, 

the MEP reaffirms the idea that the socialists "PS

 should assumed itself as a opposition party, with a sense of responsibility 

and from the position of being in opposition, 

build an alternative governance for the country. 

That's what the Portuguese expect from the PS at this time."

"There are certain times when the people have an obligation to society, 

to assume and assert their positions": 

"And that's what I'm doing."

Joao Proenca, former secretary general of the UGT 

and former member of the Seguro direction,

it is to show "the electorate" that there exist within the PS, 

those who see "with great concern" the option to negotiate a settlement 

to the left and those who are available - as Mota Andrade emphasized - 

to make a "reflection on the whole political situation of the country. 

"The district leader of Bragança, also confirmed his presence at the meeting, 

assuming that the reason that leads him to participate 

are the "implications" that the agreement with the radical left will have. 

"Everyone must assume their responsibilities. 

The current direction of the party, relative to the leftist agreement, 

the other part of the socialists in relation to the questions they have 

about this leftist swerve, "

added the leader of the district federation of Bragança.

João Proença goes further. 

He asserts that the possible alliance with the radical BE and PCP communists, 

is just "one of the reasons" for the initiative. 

Proença accuses that Costa never really desired an agreement 

with the coalition PSD/CDS 

and always had in mind an agreement with the left-wing radicals. 

A big risk, he explained, 

because he is convinced that the BE and the PCP 

"will cause significant divisions in the conducting of government policies" 

of a possible Government led by the socialists (PS).

Many notable socialists leaders will be present at this meeting 

on Saturday in Mealhada, 

of the alternative current in the socialist party, 

names, such as: 

Álvaro Beleza, Eurico Brilhante Dias, Ricardo Gonçalves, 

Mota Andrade, João Proença, Miguel Freitas e José Junqueiro.

The socialists are breaking up into different factions.

How can António Costa dream of governing a country, like Portugal, 

negotiating with the radical left-wing parties, 

ignoring negotiation within his own party?

Costa is a divider, apart from a back-stabber, 

trying an illegal assault on power to rule the country,

as Prime Minister, 

with the help of anti-democratic, anti-Euro, anti-European policies, 

and anti-Nato radicals, 

causing instability, chaos, and insecurity on a national

as well as international level.