Former Madeira Socilaist leader acquitted of difamation

João Carlos Gouveia, former leader of the Socialist Party in Madeira was today acquitted of difamation.

The acusation reported to the period of the 2005 Municipal Elections when Gouveia was candidate for Mayor of São Vicente and the commander of the Vouluntary Firemen stood as a candidate for the PSD

In an interview to the Tribuna newspaper, the accused had stated: There is no sense in the current high level of conflictuality, when the person in charge of the the firemen threatens his subalterns that they may loose their jobs if they don't vote for the PSD.

The judge maintained that the words of the accused, whose car was set on fire during the election campaign, were acceptable as part of the freedom of expression and criticism within the context of political speech, although he admonished the accused for being unable to prove what he had said in the interview.

Gouveia was also acquitted for allegedly distributing political propaganda on the pre-election day of reflection. Gouveia had distributed a letter in defending his honour in answer to a letter smearing his name, distributed by PSD members on the last day of the election campaign.

"Cuba livre": Jardim to face criminal proceedings

The Pubic Prosecutor's Office is to accuse Jardim and fellow Government members of criminal offense for hiding the Madeira debt.

Nor is Jardim to be allowed to shield himself behind parliamentary immunity as he has done in countless other cases, from violation of election laws to the dodgy dealings of the PSD Foundation.

Though he now denies any responsibility, not so long ago he was publicly bragging of having hidden the debt.

Politicians can get away with a hell of a lot of corruption in Portugal, because the law tends to be so specific that only what is specifically described by law as being corruption can be prosecuted.

Unfortunately for Bertie, there is a specific law relating to hiding debt...

He is no longer untouchable. In a recent inauguration ceremony he was actually booed by the population. The writing is on the wall for Europe's longest lasting dictator.