In my last article I concluded by pointing out
that luck doesn’t always last. Sadly, the fortune is over for the Government of
António Costa and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The tragedy of the fires
that shocked the whole country and the world left a very strong mark on all of
us. Dozens of dead and hundreds of wounded have put the country reflecting on
its annual "Civil War".
This time the number of victims reached
catastrophic proportions, the burned area corresponds to about 40,000 football
fields - mourning radiates in the souls of all portuguese.
The fire of Pedrógão-Grande, seems to have had
the most extraordinary origins (although there are already those who refute
this), the unfolding of this phenomenon may have assumed unexpected profile in
the “whims” of nature, however, one had already figured out there were serious
failures of civil protection. In the face of such hot days, and as a place
considered a "powder keg", no means were prepared for such an event
(always frequent on the mainland), the necessary precautions weren’t taken, and
the most obvious was to control motoring. Contrary to what President Marcelo
hastily pointed out at the outset – “everything possible has been done”, after
all, it did not correspond to reality.
The wave of global simpathy and regret of portuguese
politicians in the face of such tragedy was felt (it was not really the ideal
time to point out the culprits and to do politics at the beginning). The fire
had to be controlled and the protection of civilians was a must. However, one
realized immediately from the second day this time affections and hugs were not enough
to appease the revolt of portuguese society.
Thus, as we have seen in the past, good news has
always a person which is responsible. In this case of tragedy, those
responsible and guilty do not assume and we notice immediately that the oligarchs
are accomplices among themselves, not pointing out those responsible.
In this case it is imperative to do politics.
There are guilty, there are responsibilities. And although Marcelo and António
Costa are not to blame for this tragedy, they are the top leaders in the
national context, so they should at the very least apologize to the portuguese.
Theresa May, who has been a disaster as prime minister, acknowledged the
state's failure in the London fire last week and has already apologized to
citizens.
Unfortunately, tragedies can happen. The
imponderables, the so-called natural phenomenon, played a huge role in the
propagation of fire. The widely broadcast planning and land management is appalling.
The land, with fewer rangers, is a constant danger. However, the state has far
from fulfilling its role. Many have already guessed that such a tragedy could
happen. Regrettably, our rulers did not have a proactive but reactive attitude.
Televisions "bombarded" us with
experts of this and that, trying to explain many of the situations and issues
that were emerging. It seems that Portugal has many experts on anything and
everything! What we have been able to observe throughout the various stages of
the fire, was the lack of coordination among public entities, and the lack of
preparation for such a phenomenon. Definitely Portugal, is not properly
prepared to face natural catastrophes, especially with this government's
contraption.
Some people and organizations will have to be
held accountable, The NRG (National Republican Guard), and the communications
network ISESNP (Integrated System of Emergency and Safety Networks in
Portugal), are already, targeted and with a torrent of criticism.
Now it seems we have some politicians,
including our top leaders, looking to rush new legislation that seeks to
correct what was wrong. Much has been wrong. Yet, what was more noticed was the
imprevidence and the lack of coordination. The revolt, sadness and pain is in
all of us and we got the clear idea the country is committed to its fate. Good
fortune, seems no longer follow up António Costa and Marcelo. After all, what
is the State for?
Miguel Verde - Senior Consultant, Professor of
International Relations
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