The Mega Operation Happened Today, 12 Months Ago
The mega operation (later coined Operation Zarco) unfolded a year ago today, January 24th, 2024. It was years in the making and targeted corruption, involving searches and arrests related to alleged bribery, abuse of power, and influence peddling among public officials, businesspeople, and political figures, such as the mayor of Funchal Pedro Calado (PSD Madeira) who eventually was spending weeks in a Lisbon prison. The operation also implicated Madeira's president, who initially announced plans to resign but is now running for re-election, shielded from prosecution.
Multiple Charges Against The President
President Miguel Albuquerque (PSD), who in January 2024 was charged with alleged active and passive bribery, withholding, accepting or offering unjustified advantages, abuse of office, and influence peddling, declared he would resign as president.
At this moment, for the good of Madeira, it is necessary to find a solution of government stability
Miguel Albuquerque, January 26, 2024
Enjoying Immunity as President
About 4 weeks later, Albuquerque, who enjoys immunity both as the president of the Madeiran Government and additionally for being a state councilor and at this time obviously in no position to uphold leadership, suddenly decided otherwise:
I will almost certainly be a candidate for the leadership of PSD Madeira.
Miguel Albuquerque
Albuquerque is Playing Madeira
Instead of taking a step back, Albuquerque goes full in and has the audacity to run as a candidate for PSD-M leadership.
Echoing Donald Trump's Contempt For The Rule Of Law
Madeira's political crisis cannot be resolved by a leader deeply entangled in accusations. We are experiencing a culturally instilled contempt of the rule of law, culturally exemplified by Donald Trump.
PSD Members Pressured and Conditioned?
Within the PSD party, Albuquerque defeated Manuel António Correia - who previously on March 21 declared his own party “to be sick”. The Maderians approved his leadership and Albuquerque was reelected with 54 percent of the votes, against the 45 percent of Miguel António Correia.
From Manuel António's perspective, the elections "were not fair because there were not equal opportunities for the two candidacies". "I call on all activists to give their testimony. [...] I think that almost everyone has had a personal experience of pressure, of conditioning", he declared.
The candidate pointed out that there were signs during the campaign for PSD/Madeira inmates "that there may be crimes of opinion in this party and people persecuted because they voted for candidates other than the winner".
Manuel Antonio Correia - Expresso.pt
We are Madeira Coalition
Reelections on May 26: PSD, despite losing votes, wins and again forms a coalition with CDS-PP. The reenactment of the We are Madeira coalition (Somos Madeira) no longer holds a majority government.
Chega Helps Forming a Minority Government
It was in the beginning of July, that Madeira's Parliament finally approved the PSD program, led by Miguel Albuquerque, after a close vote, influenced by a defiant Chega party member.
https://twitter.com/MeteoTrasMontPT/status/1823857442805178545
Albuquerque Continues to Make Headlines
In the meantime, Albuquerque made sporadic headlines until August, when he chose to return to Porto Santo and relax at the beach, even as fires in Madeira were escalating. His decision, taken amidst the growing crisis, sent shockwaves throughout Madeira. This choice, made as the situation worsened, likely became the tipping point - setting off a chain of events that ultimately led to the government's decline.
Albuquerque Under Attack For Refusing Help From Mainland
Why is Madeira’s President turning down firefighting support? As flames spread, growing backlash from all sides questions his decision.
Nerves Of Steel! President Albuquerque Reportedly Back On Vacation In Porto Santo
In Miguel Albuquerque's absence, Pedro Ramos stated that even while the president is on break, he remains actively involved about the ongoing fire situation on the island of Madeira.
The Tragedy of Madeira
August 24th: Journalist Eduardo Dâmaso refers to the ongoing crisis as the Tragedy of Madeira, and vehemently attacks President Miguel Albuquerque for his complacent and self-serving leadership.
The day after returning from vacation in Porto Santo, like Houdini, he disappeared again, back to the beautiful golden island, when active fronts persisted and hundreds of firefighters were risking their lives. The political pantomime starring Albuquerque would be a parody of a summer vacation if it were not, in itself, a tragedy.
(…)
Weakened by a judicial process that exposes a culture of clientelism and promiscuity with the economic interests of the region, Albuquerque has now shown a total inability to understand what public service is required of a political leader.Eduardo Dâmaso on the Tragedy of Madeira
Eduardo Dâmaso On The Tragedy Of Madeira
Journalist Eduardo Dâmaso refers to the ongoing crisis as the Tragedy of Madeira, and vehemently attacks President Miguel Albuquerque for his complacent and self-serving leadership.
Ab Initio - Madeira Seeks Justice In Corruption Case
Ab Initio suggests a vast network of corruption and nepotism, extending to the highest levels of Madeira's government.
Mega Operation Reloaded
A massive anti-corruption investigation yet again unfolds in Madeira on September 17, targeting 25 government agencies and private companies over alleged corruption and financial misconduct. Ab Initio suggests a vast network of corruption and nepotism, extending to the highest levels of Madeira's government. See the entire 175-page document of the investigation.
Dozens of searches were conducted at homes, companies, and public bodies in Funchal and Calheta, with suspects including Albuquerque’s deputy Miguel Silva, PSD Madeira's secretary José Prada, and financial manager Armando Abreu. Businessmen José Humberto Drumond and Miguel Nóbrega are also under suspicion for their close ties to political power.
Albuquerque Defends Wildfire Approach
October: Against all critique from firefighters, President Albuquerque claimed “limited impact“ and said that "the correct procedures" were followed during the 2024 Madeira fires and denied any responsibility.
November: Political scientist Teresa Ruel highlights the deteriorating political situation in Madeira, in Madeira since January, citing the decision to name Miguel Albuquerque, the regional government president, as a suspect in a corruption investigation as the key catalyst.
Madeira Sees Rising Political Decline and Institutional Failures
Corruption scandals and delayed no-confidence motion contribute to Madeira's increasing political instability, jeopardizing governance and democracy.
Madeira Government Falls After No-Confidence Motion
In a historic turn of events, the Madeiran Government has collapsed after a no-confidence motion, led by Chega, gained the support of all other opposition parties.
December: The regional parliament accepts the no-confidence motion against the faltering government. Despite this, Albuquerque announced he would run for president again. Meanwhile, Alberto João Jardim, who had previously warned of a political collapse in Madeira, strongly criticized Albuquerque and called for his resignation.
January: With reelections looming, PSD-Madeira’s biggest threat may just be a rebellion within its own ranks, led by Correia, who is making bald claims but without delivering results. Despite the turmoil, the party seems set to rerun Albuquerque, claiming there is no time and they can't hold a democratic meeting for members to vote on a candidate.
We also learn that the inquiry into the devastating 2024 fires is set to be discontinued, likely without results or accountability. Perhaps we’ll try this again next fire season? Meanwhile, former mayor Calado requests his case be archived, he would thus be declared innocent due to lack of evidence.
What’s Next, Madeira?
Even though the PSD party has lost about 7% in the last elections, many Madeirans remain surprisingly calm, almost indifferent, some would say stoic. No party would change how things work on the island, some say, and chances are, we’ll see reelections with a PSD-led majority government.
This would be after almost fifty years of one-party rule and counting - arguably, no democracy in the world would be able to work flawlessly under these conditions. This must be noted, even if it serves to defend the current leadership. There are many reasons to speak out more vocally and push for political leadership that delivers less drama and greater justice. The island is watching!
Main Image: 𝖦𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍 (𝖲𝗒𝗆𝖻𝗈𝗅)
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