PORTUGAL YEARNS FOR POLITICAL STABILITY

Portugal goes to the Parliamentary polls on May 18. The third election in as many years following the collapse of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s centre-right coalition government on March 11 after barely 11 months in office. The voters are understandably increasingly frustrated with the political class over the worst political instability being witnessed in Portugall, while every general election is costing the taxpayers around 30 million euros.
The fall of the Montenegro government was due to an alleged conflict of interest in obtaining government contracts. Similarly, in November 2023 Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s administration was embroiled in an alleged corruption scandal involving his chief of staff, while Costa resigned paving the way for the last elections held in March 2024.
The successive political crises have led to frequent electoral cycles and heightened public disenchantment with traditional political institutions. Portugal is also grappling with the alarming problem of refugees and illegal immigrants. The government is facing grave financial challenges in dealing with these issues. A very heavy burden indeed. Understandably, there is a feeling of disquiet amongst the locals as crime and lawlessness is raising its ugly head.
In the May 18 general elections, the Portuguese nationals in Goa will be casting their votes at the Consulate at Althinho in Panjim. I could have exercised my franchise at the Embassy in London. However, I decided to be in Portugal for a few days to witness the political discourse and cast my vote in Lisbon on May 18. For a student of political science, this keenly contested election is worth observing.
Let’s hope that the outcome of this democratic election results in a stable and sustainable government that acts with the utmost integrity in the best interests of its people.
—Aires Rodrigues, Lisbon

848 TEACHER VACANCIES
THE annual review of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan in Goa by the Union education ministry found more than 848 teacher vacancies at all levels. Also, 83% vacancies exist in the State Council for Education Research and Training (SCERT).
The split up of the 848 vacancies is: elementary 306, secondary level 311 and senior secondary level 231. The project approval board of the ministry has urged Goa to fill all the posts by Dec 31, 2025. Recently, the Goa School Managements’ Association repeated its long-standing demand for the sanction and filling of full-time teaching and non-teaching staff by June 2025. It has also asked the government to stop appointment of contract teachers. This is because most teachers quit once they find greener pastures or a permanent job.
Considering the recommendation by the Union ministry and the request by the Association, will the government advertise and fill the posts? By this, capable and deserving candidates would get jobs and significantly bring down the unemployment rate in Goa. And the authorities can score brownie points.
— Sridhar D’Iyer, Chamunda Residency, Caranzalem, Goa.

DEAR CHIEF MINISTER
GOA stands at the edge of a very steep and slippery slope, one wrong step and there is no way back. The proposed Dhargalim Integrated Resort can change the prospects of youth for generations to come, for better or for worse. In the past 12 hours, Goans watched a union minister try to sell us the idea of building our own nuclear power plant and a few local politicians instantly shot it down. The others will echo their aspersions in the next few days, along with concerned citizens.
God willing, the ceasefire will hold, and Goa can get back to business as usual. But business as usual has taken a toll on both Goans and Goa herself. Noise pollution in the north belt is a huge problem, and I’m sure you’re aware of Goa’s drug and alcohol addiction figures. The proposed Integrated Resort — the first gambling venture in that area code — has the chance to put Goa on the wellbeing metrics map. Conversely, it could add unimaginable problems to our peaceful yet vice-ridden motherland.
Australia learnt the hard way that poorly regulated casinos invite tech-savvy criminal syndicates. After Macau Triad boss Alvin Chau was arrested and subsequently sentenced to 18 years for a flurry of crimes involving casinos, Australian Integrated Resorts took a massive hit when it was discovered that they facilitated Chau’s activities. A multi-billion dollar project is now on the rocks as Australia’s new and improved gambling regulators scrutinize every facet of the sin industry. This is the latest news on their Integrated Resort woes, incidentally it also touches on a problem so severe that it caused a sitting justice of the Macau courts to resign his post and enter politics — money exchange gangs.
— Chris Fernandes,Miramar