Esteves Hilário, who promoted a meeting this Friday with journalists and opinion makers in Luanda, stated that the party's structures are "cohesive", with its bodies functioning fully, and assured that the MPLA is "in good health".
"Everything else that is said is speculation and anticipation of matters that will be discussed in the ordinary congress of 2026 (...)", scheduled for December, said the secretary of the MPLA's Political Bureau for Information and Propaganda.
The next general elections will take place in 2027 and there has been speculation about a possible third term for the current President, also leader of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), who was re-elected in 2022, despite the Constitution only providing for two consecutive terms. .
"This is a non-issue for us, it is not on our political agenda (...) this discussion is out of time", highlighted the also jurist and university professor, adding that the focus of the 2024 political agenda is "consolidating the (.. .) base structures for the autarchic process that is coming".
Asked about a possible constitutional review, he considered that "there are no reasons" to talk about the subject, which is also not part of the political agenda.
For Esteves Hilário, the MPLA respected and respects the Constitution, which is "the guiding compass of (...) national life", therefore, "there is no question of any attempt to disrespect" the national law.
The spokesperson stated that the MPLA statutes allow any member to run as a candidate, noting that the last word on the candidate for the 2027 elections rests with the Central Committee, the party's highest deliberative body.
Responding to journalists, Hilário stressed that there is not a "political crisis", but rather "economic challenges" that result from the reforms that are being put into practice, admitting that these are taking a toll on the popularity of the head of state and president of the broken.
The deputy of the National Assembly also spoke about the institutionalization of local authorities, a topic currently being debated in parliament, as the latest laws in the local authority package are in the approval phase.
As for a possible replacement for João Lourenço, he said it was "too early to discuss that". "The President is governing the country and the party in the best possible way within the economic and political circumstances that the world is experiencing and we have to let him work", continued the MPLA leader.
Esteves Hilário stressed that there is, "in the short, medium or long term, any risk of instability in the country" and that the MPLA, in power since 1975, is a guarantor of stability.
He admitted, however, that the "very profound reforms" that are being made to the structure of the State are having costs for the party, a responsibility that the MPLA assumes.
"Whoever governs has to take on the burden of unpopularity, sometimes, if that is the way to save the country", he stressed. "We are not very worried about President João Lourenço's level of popularity, what we are worried about is the quality of the reforms that are being carried out", stressed the official, adding that the people "like" the MPLA. "He may be dissatisfied with some things, but he still likes the MPLA," said Esteves Hilário.
