Rui Curado, 43 years old, driver, is the head of the list of the Algarve by the RIR party – Reacting Include and Recycle to the Legislative Elections of 30 January, by the Algarve circle.
With this interview, the series of interviews that the Sul Informação is publishing, with all the heads of the list of all the political forces that are candidates for the constituency of the district of Faro.
To all, and in a logic of equal opportunities, the same questionnaire with 12 questions was sent, in a timely manner.
The answers are, of course, diverse, as will become clear over the next few days, with the publication of all the interviews.
Sul Informação – What are the priorities of your political force for the next legislature for the Algarve?
SI – The entire Algarve is a priority, it is a region with enormous potential, in which our governments have done nothing but false promises in their campaigns.
For the Algarve, the RIR prioritizes timely access to quality healthcare for all Algarve and Portuguese people, as well as an investment in the construction of the Algarve Central Hospital or even the Eastern Algarve hospital (already promised since the Cavaco Silva was prime minister).
We advocate the creation of affordable housing for active taxpayers, housing being a serious problem in the region and in the country as well.
Finally, I leave you with our biggest conviction, which is to lead and defend the regionalization/autonomy of the Algarve.
SI – What led you to accept being the head of the list for the party or political force you represent?
RC – The acceptance was due to the fact that he had a sense of responsibility in defending the Algarve region, a region that, for decades, has been disrespected and forgotten, not only by the current government, but like all the others that have past.
A different policy is therefore crucial, in which politicians have to work for the people and not the other way around.
SI – What are the expectations and objectives of your political force in relation to these Legislative Elections?
RC – We want to bring the voice of the people to Parliament and be that same voice. To this end, I appeal to the help of the people of the Algarve, with your vote on the 30th, and especially of those who are in fact part of the largest party in the country, abstention.
It is for the people that we want and will work.
SI – What remains to be done in the Algarve?
RC – If all or almost all the promises had been fulfilled, I wouldn't be here without knowing where to start.
The Algarve has excellent conditions and resources to boost the industry sector, so that it is possible to create brands to enter the international market, which, consequently, would lead to an increase in exports.
A requalification of the EN125 from Faro the VRSA is imperative, as this is not a valid and safe alternative to the A22, which, in turn, is in a deplorable state, even though it is payable.
The social and health sector are areas that need a major intervention because there is a huge lack of developments and prospection.
SI – Health is a deficit sector in the Algarve and in the country. What measures do you recommend to solve the health problems in the Algarve?
RC – The health problem in the Algarve is linked to all the shortcomings that the region has.
Assuming that the Algarve has around 440 inhabitants and that, in high season, the Algarve hosts three or even four times more than the population residing here, how is it possible that there is no increase in the number of health professionals ?
We can also say that the lack of family doctors is one of the shortcomings in the region, but this is due to the fact that there are no attractions for these same professionals to settle in the region. A quick and quick solution would be to support rents, as rents here are becoming unsustainable.
The RIR advocates the expansion of continuum and palliative care centers.
SI – And what about Hospital Central do Algarve? When should you move forward and why?
RC – As I mentioned briefly above, it is necessary to invest in the construction of the Central Hospital of the Algarve or in the Eastern Algarve.
This investment would be a way of revitalizing health in the region, while at the same time stopping the emigration of health professionals.
SI – The previous government advanced with the Decentralization of Competences to the Municipalities. What balance do you make of this process?
RC – The decentralization of competences to the municipalities, advanced by the government, I would say that it was a bad step, since the services that lost competences, in a way, had a work relief, but maintained human resources, but, in the municipalities, they maintained up human resources, albeit with an increase in responsibilities and tasks. This came to harm its use in serving the citizens.
SI – Should a future government move forward with Regionalization? Why or why not?
RC – We agree that regionalization should be a topic on the political agenda of the next government, including the management of economic resources and public services, or the administrative decentralization of powers from the central government to the administrative regions.
I defend the model provided for in the Constitution of the Republic, carrying out a due review of the country's current needs, for economic and social development.
In a first phase, we must analyze the number of entities and human and material resources available in the district facilities of the central administration, considering their transition to regional services, within a process of local and regional restructuring of infrastructure and resources.
In a second phase, it would involve the implementation of a regional executive and legislative secretariat, directly elected by the region's citizens.
What kind of regionalization does the Algarve need? It is the one that gives us voice and autonomy in the management of the region's tax revenue and in public policies.
SI – In the Assembly of the Republic, there have been resolutions to end tolls on Via do Infante or, at least, to introduce significant discounts. What do you think about this topic and what solutions do you recommend?
RC – The issue of Via do Infante is something that, to the government, is not interested in the removal of tolls.
But if, on the 30th, I am elected as a deputy, that will be one of the thousand and one battles that I will take to Parliament, until the tolls are removed.
SI – At the beginning of the current pandemic crisis, the Government announced a specific plan for the Algarve, which never came to fruition. What does Algarve Tourism need to recover from the pandemic?
RC – First of all, I needed that plan that was promised and once again the Algarve was forgotten.
The Algarve, by itself, sells on the international market, we are one of the best places in the world to spend holidays and live. However, the economy in the region has declined significantly, and tourism without companies with the quality that distinguishes us does not work. Millions are spent on banks, millions are forgiven to corrupt people, etc., and where is the promised help for the region?
The Algarve must and must be autonomous, like Madeira and the Azores
SI – In the case of more fractious issues, such as regionalization, tolls on Via do Infante and health, among others, if you are elected, will you vote for the AR according to your conviction, even if it goes against the guidelines of your party?
RC – If, on the 30th, the Algarve people decide that I am worthy of their trust, above all I will defend the interests of the Algarve, even if I go against the party's guidelines. The Algarve first!
SI – Do you want to add any more topics or questions?
To conclude, I would like to appeal to all Algarve people so that, on the 30th, when they go to vote, they vote with “teeth”!
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