"Miguel, you have shown enormous resilience, enormous courage, which is necessary in politics. You affirm your convictions without fear, without prejudice, against all odds," said Miguel Pinto Luz at the closing session of the 19th PSD/Madeira Congress.

The national leader of the PSD, who is also Minister of Housing and Infrastructure in Luís Montenegro's Government, added that the Madeiran leader is "defending democracy, Madeira first", attesting to "full confidence in the entire team of Miguel Albuquerque" and all the collaboration of the PSD and the national Government with Madeira.

Miguel Pinto Luz considered that Madeira is a "different land, governed differently", which has been living under the "social democratic model for 50 years" to develop society.

"Madeira is an example of what we can do in the country, positively contaminating the entire country", "coming to Madeira is a source of inspiration" and "it is seeing work done", he argued.

The social democratic leader recalled that the PSD has had the trust of the Madeirans for five decades.

Therefore, he challenged Miguel Albuquerque so that "on the next 26th [May -- day of the early regional legislative elections] this rule is fulfilled once again and we [PSD] continue to guarantee the trust of the people, because the Madeirans need it, Portugal needs it and Portuguese society demands it".

Miguel Pinto Luz opined that "patience has its limits" and that it is necessary to contradict those who say they no longer trust in politics, "quickly implementing" the PSD's programme, one of its aims being to promote social mobility which "is stagnant", but which "Madeira has managed to bring to the governance of the autonomous region".

"We will dialogue with everyone with humility", he stressed, referring to the fact that "the media and the most hidden agendas are not ignored".

But, he assured: "No one can condition us", launching the challenge to "close ranks" because everyone is too few to win the electoral battles that lie ahead.

"This region has given a lot, but a lot to the Portuguese and never feel indebted. Portugal is indebted to Madeira, we are aware of the example it has been for the entire country", he stressed.

Miguel Pinto Luz concluded his speech with a message of encouragement to the Madeiran leader: "Miguel, strength for the battle that lies ahead. Don't give up, I know you are a man of courage who does not give up. Long live Madeira!".

The great meeting of the Madeiran social democrats that took place this weekend in Funchal, under the theme "Progress and Autonomy", which served to reconfirm the leadership of Miguel Albuquerque, did not count on the presence of the national leader, Luis Montenegro, who is on an official visit to Cape Verde.

The secretary-general, Hugo Soares, cancelled his participation in the closing session, "due to illness".

Also absent was the former president of the PSD/Madeira, Alberto João Jardim, who travelled to the Azores to participate in a solemn session for the 50th anniversary of April 25th.

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