"The primacy of politics over the economy" - by leftist presidential candidate Sampaio da Nóvoa

Sampaio da Nóvoa, leftwing presidential candidate

Has the presidential candidate, Sampaio da Nóvoa, 

thought about the consequences of a European referendum 

for the recovery of national economies and for the creation of jobs?

In the "Declaration of Principles" of his application, 

Sampaio da Nóvoa advocates a referendum on a future of the European Treaty. 

He adds, in an extraordinary way, it would be "a pre-referendum" 

to the possibly of concluding a Treaty. 

What would be a "pre-referendum"? 

Obviously, it wouldn´t be a referendum on a new treaty. 

Theoretically, it could be a generalised question such as: 

"does Portugal accept to surrender its sovereignty to the European Union?" - 

This is what can be deduced from his "Charter of Principles". 

In practice, a matter of this nature, would result in an impossible discussion. 

How could the Portuguese decide without knowing the future content of the Treaty? 

Obviously they could not. 

Thus a question would remain: 
"Do you think Portugal should continue within the EU?" 

The process would be very similar to what is happening in the UK. 

Without a new treaty to have a referendum, the question should be, 

"Should the UK remain as a member state of the EU?"

Lost in the labyrinth of his confused mind, 

Sampaio da Nóvoa unwittingly decided 

to follow the example of the Conservative Party leader. 

This leftist candidate really promises difficulties for the future.

It was a combination of weakness and populism that sent Cameron 

to ask for the European referendum. 

Now he has a very complicated hot-potato at hand. 

Next year, the British policy will be completely dominated 

by the European referendum, certainly harming the country's economy, 

just as a recovering has started. 

The Sampaio da Nóvoa´s bid, 
displays the same mixture of weakness and populism. 

He started from a weak position, from being a relatively unknown candidate 

without the unequivocal support of the PS. 

Therefore, he needs these populist proposals to gain support. 

The proposal of the European referendum 
violates the spirit of the Portuguese Constitution, 

which would create an unnecessary problem 
for the government at the time, 

and in the end is an example of how a populist proposal 

is contrary to the interests of the Portuguese. 

It does not cease to be an amazing feat for a presidential candidate.

Sampaio of Nóvoa shows that between direct democracy 

and representative democracy, he chooses the former.

The fact that a large majority of MEPs have consistently approved 

all the European treaties,
 is apparently not enough to legitimize European integration.

Therefore, in the case of a future treaty, 

"President"  Sampaio Nóvoa, 

will not settle for a parliamentary vote 
and would require a "prior referendum." 

From the top of his consulate in Belem, but "close to the people," 

he would create a very complicated trouble for whoever is in government. 

If Sampaio da Nóvoa  is elected President, 
whoever would be in government in Portugal 

would need a lot of good luck. They surely would need it. 

Imagine the "Prime Minister" Antonio Costa 

returning from Brussels from a meeting with his peers,

dicussing a new European treaty 

and then have to put up with "President" Sampaio da Nóvoa, 

calling for a European referendum. 

Most probably, Costa would have a fit of "Socratic rage";

 and with good reason.

Would Sampaio da Nóvoa have thought of the consequences 

of a European referendum for the recovery of the national economy 

and for job creation? 

Yes, job creation, Mr. left-wing candidate and "close to the people." 

A simple announcement of a European referendum would call into question 

all the efforts of the past four years. 

Foreign investment would simply stop, 

and the markets would no longer fund the Portuguese State 
at affordable interest rates. 

The threat of a new foreign intervention and another crisis 

would be the most certain result. 

Here is an example of a populist proposal 
that will severely harm the pensioners, 

the unemployed and the poor. 

Sampaio da Nóvoa´s supporters often speak nonsense: 

like, for example that 
"the economy can not impose on politics," 

or "it is necessary to recover the primacy of politics over economics." 

For them, "the primacy of politics over economics"  

means the primacy of leftist populist fantasies 
on the jobs, the pensions and the salaries of the Portuguese. 

Not bad for a "left-wing candidate." 

But the usual populist theme!

So far, the PS has always accepted the parliamentary ratifications 

and never demanded referendums on European treaties. 

However, the Socialists kept very quiet on this proposterous proposal. 

This silence can be explained by three reasons: 

Some socialist militants certainly agree with Sampaio da Nóvoa. 

The other two reasons are more cynical. 

Some don´t want Sampaio da Nóvoa to be elected 

- many socialists leaders will be voting for the PSD candidate. 

Others hope that in case  Sampaio da Nóvoa is elected, 

the referendum promise will die along the way.

After all - despite the cynical temptation to avoid unnecessary problems

 - the European referendum is NOT a minor issue, 

particularly given the country's fragile  situation. 

Moreover, it was introduced by the Socialists presidential candidate. 

What does António Costa and other socialist leaders ~

think of this proposed European referendum?