The proposal for a new Declaration of Principles of the CDS-PP, prepared by a group led by António Lobo Xavier, is entitled "Free, democratic and social". The new text, which was presented by José Manuel Rodrigues, president of the congress, updates the original Declaration of Principles from 1974. "We have a declaration of principles for the next 50 years", said the leader. José Manuel Rodrigues stated that "the CDS is against all forms of discrimination" and wants "to be an open party for everyone, everyone, all citizens" and that it does not discriminate based on "origin, creed and personal orientation". "Count on us to be a predictable, moderate and competent party" that "is in favor of equality between men and women" and "rejects all populisms, whether from the left or the right", he stressed. The president of the congress -- the party's highest body -- also indicated that the CDS-PP defends "economic freedom" and "choice of the fundamental domains of life in society, such as education and health", but warned: "Do not ask us to exchange freedom for the market, that is for others". José Manuel Rodrigues argued that "Portugal has to get the social elevator working again" and called for a "national commitment between the government parties that guarantees the stability of family policies and regulated immigration". The leader also highlighted the introduction in the Declaration of Principles of "respect for nature and the planet". José Manuel Rodrigues also stressed that "the Portuguese nation is based on 3 pillars, the church, the universities and the Armed Forces". "We believe that with Nuno Melo as minister, the Armed Forces will once again be dignified and have the prestige they once had", he stressed. The leader of the CDS/Madeira also suggested adding to the text an indication that the party "is committed to deepening the autonomy of the Azores and Madeira". The proposal was presented publicly at an event in September and was followed by a period of contributions that ended at the end of last year. Among the novelties of the new Declaration of Principles is the rejection of populism and the guarantee that the CDS respects "personal orientations". The document notes that over the decades the CDS has gathered "the support and adherence of liberals and democratic conservatives", defended the welfare state and the "correction of inequalities", economic freedom and "traditional values", without "compromising with nationalist extremes". Maintaining the same values, the proposal includes commitments that it says are adapted to historical circumstances such as "taking care of nature and respecting the planet for future generations", as well as "overcoming the demographic deficit and taking good care of the elderly". The document includes the reinforcement of public support "for the network of elderly care and the provision of continuing care", and proposes a "national commitment" that guarantees "the stability of family policies and regulated immigration". During the presentation of his global strategy motion, which took place immediately after the vote, the president of the CDS-PP stated that this Declaration of Principles "does not revoke the other, it only complements it, it only updates it" and the two will be "side by side on the CDS page". Nuno Melo indicated that this new Declaration of Principles "was not made on a whim, but out of necessity". "Our original is extraordinary", but "it is dated, it was designed for a time and a world that has since changed", he argued, giving as an example that it speaks of decolonization or of accession to the EEC. Also Read: Centrists are not "junior partners" of the AD. "We are not, we are allies" (Portuguese version)