“In defense of transparency, in the exercise of public functions, and following the clarification of the accusations and compliance with the word of the President of the Regional Government of Madeira after more than 2 months of his statements, the undersigned citizens consider it urgent that he immediately request lifting your immunity.” This is an excerpt from the new public petition , which was launched on April 2, asking for the “lifting of Miguel Albuquerque’s immunity”.
The author(s) of the petition recall that “Miguel Albuquerque was named a defendant on January 24, 2024, following searches, both at home and outside of the home, in around 60 locations, 45 of these locations in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. His double immunity, as he is president of the Regional Government of Madeira and a State councilor, prevents him from being detained without authorization from the Regional Assembly and the Council of State, but allows him to be accused in a judicial process. On January 25, 2024 , Miguel Albuquerque publicly announced that he was going to ask for the waiver of his immunity, in order to defend his character and honor because “politicians do not have their rights diminished because they are politicians”.
At the moment, the petition has just under 100 signatures, but the connection is already being shared through messaging, and social channels, so it should have greater support in the near future.
It should be noted that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa called early elections for May 26th and that the PSD-Madeira has already said that it will go alone, without a coalition with the CDS. Miguel Albuquerque is the social democratic leader of the list.