He criticized the lack of political leadership and coordination, stressing that immediate responsibility and clear command are essential to effectively address the wildfire crisis.

José Luís Carneiro, secretary-general of the PS, has called on Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to urgently convene the National Civil Protection Committee to ensure strong political leadership and coordination in fighting the devastating forest fires in Portugal.

Carneiro stressed the importance of the Prime Minister leading the crisis response politically and involving key ministries such as Interior, Defense, Infrastructure, Communications, and others related to social and economic support.

This commission aims to evaluate past failures and improve future responses, with Carneiro planning to present this proposal to the Assembly of the Republic.

He highlighted the urgent need for immediate political action to address the ongoing crisis, which has caused significant damage and loss of life, emphasizing that effective coordination is crucial for protecting affected communities.

Currently, Carneiro is in the Azores, specifically in Lajes do Pico, where he is involved in the presentation of Ana Brum’s re-election campaign for the municipal presidency.

Carneiro expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, offering condolences for the tragic loss of life caused by the fires.

He underscored the importance of involving ministries responsible for safety, infrastructure, social support, agriculture, and the economy to deliver swift aid and solutions to those affected.

The fires have resulted in two deaths, multiple injuries, and the destruction of homes, farms, and forested areas, prompting Portugal to activate the European Civil Protection Mechanism, with firefighting aircraft arriving to assist.

The primary goal of the response efforts is to restore a sense of security for populations, especially those who have lost their homes or are in vulnerable situations amid the ongoing crisis.

Carneiro announced plans to propose the creation of an independent technical commission to review failures in prevention, preparedness, and response, emphasizing that political coordination must be prioritized now.

Carneiro emphasized that restoring effective coordination and mobilizing various ministries is vital for an effective response to the ongoing wildfires.