DEMOCRACY, PUBLIC POLICIES AND CITIZEN DISCONTENT
Yesterday, hundreds of people took to the streets in some parts of the country to peacefully express their dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in education, health, transport, energy and water supply and garbage collection.
We are in a democratic state governed by the rule of law and the voice of citizens and civil society is, and must always be, welcome. Even if only one citizen were to speak out, their voice should be listened to with attention and consequence.
The free expression of our disagreements strengthens democracy and the rule of law and paves the way for the improvement of public policies.
Democracy also requires responsibility and in a fiscal state like ours, where citizens are obliged to pay taxes and fulfill their constitutional duties, it is necessary to promote and defend fundamental rights and assign responsibility - political, criminal or civil - to public decision-makers at all levels.
I therefore salute all those who peacefully demonstrated and courageously showed their discontent and I hope that the competent authorities will consider the warnings that have arrived from many parts of civil society and citizens, on the islands and in the diaspora.
As President of the Republic, I am questioned on a daily basis, in the street or through letters or messages, about the inefficiencies and poor quality of many of the public services provided by the state and municipalities.
I have told the petitioners that the President does not govern, but he can warn, advise or propose, and that is what I have done. Publicly or with the necessary discretion, depending on the sensitivity of the issues at hand.
