Francisco César Says Mobility Rights of Azorean and Madeiran Residents Cannot Be Put on Hold
The Socialist Party of the Azores (PS/Açores) has accused the Portuguese Government of delaying the implementation of the new Territorial Continuity Mechanism, the legislation approved by the Assembly of the Republic to replace key elements of the existing Social Mobility Subsidy system for air travel between the autonomous regions and mainland Portugal.
The criticism follows recent statements by Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro indicating that the Government is still evaluating the implementation of the changes approved by Parliament, despite the fact that the legislation has already been promulgated by the President of the Republic and published in the official gazette.
For Francisco César, leader of the PS/Açores, the situation raises serious concerns about respect for the legislative process and creates unnecessary uncertainty for residents of the Azores and Madeira.
“In a state governed by the rule of law, laws are meant to be implemented,” Francisco César stated. “A government may disagree with a law, propose amendments, or introduce new legislation. What it cannot do is delay or place into question the application of a law that is already in force.”
According to the Socialist leader, the new mechanism became legally effective on June 6 and should now be applied without hesitation.
At the center of the debate is the long-standing issue of territorial continuity, a principle intended to mitigate the disadvantages of geographic distance and insularity faced by citizens living in Portugal’s autonomous regions. For decades, Azoreans and Madeirans have argued that mobility should be treated not as a privilege, but as a fundamental right linked to full citizenship within the Portuguese Republic.
Francisco César argued that delays in implementation directly affect island residents, who continue to face administrative burdens and significant out-of-pocket expenses when traveling between the islands and mainland Portugal.
“While the Government continues to hesitate and evaluate what it should already be executing, Azoreans and Madeirans remain subject to bureaucracy, uncertainty, and unfair costs associated with their travel,” he said.
Among the most significant changes approved by Parliament are the elimination of the maximum eligible travel cost ceiling and the restoration of the Portuguese postal service, CTT, as a reimbursement channel for passengers seeking refunds under the mobility support system.
Both measures have been advocated for years by regional governments, political parties, and civic organizations in the Azores and Madeira. Supporters argue that they simplify the reimbursement process and make the system fairer for travelers who often face higher transportation costs due to their geographic location.
For Francisco César, the issue transcends administrative procedures and touches upon a broader question of equality within the Portuguese state.
“What is at stake is ensuring that the ultraperipheral condition of the Azores and Madeira does not continue to penalize those who live in the islands,” he said. “Territorial continuity is not a favor granted by the State. It is a right of its citizens.”
The controversy has also moved into the parliamentary arena. PS deputies in the Assembly of the Republic have announced that they will request the urgent appearance of Minister António Leitão Amaro before the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure, Mobility, and Housing.
The objective, according to the Socialists, is to obtain clear answers regarding when the new provisions will be fully implemented and when the reimbursement system through CTT will be restored.
The discussion comes at a time when mobility remains one of the most sensitive public policy issues affecting the Azores. Air connections are not merely transportation links; they are essential instruments of economic development, family reunification, access to education, healthcare, business opportunities, and participation in national life.
For many island residents, the debate surrounding the Territorial Continuity Mechanism therefore goes beyond technical legislative details. It touches directly upon the practical meaning of citizenship in an archipelagic nation whose geography continues to present unique challenges.
As the controversy unfolds, attention now turns to Lisbon, where the Government will face growing pressure to clarify its intentions and provide certainty regarding a law that many in the autonomous regions believe should already be fully operational.
Translated and adapted from a story in Diário Insular, José Lourenço-director-Photo from PS-Açores.