"The future we desire for our country depends, to a large extent, on the quality of our collective work. It's not just about passing laws, but ensuring that these laws respond to the needs of society and contribute to inclusive and socially just development," said Carolina Cerqueira.
Speaking at the formal closing ceremony of the third legislative session of the 5th Legislature of the National Assembly of Angola, the president of the legislative body noted that, during the legislative year, parliamentarians approved laws that directly affect the lives of Angolans.
She considered that parliamentarians, in their legislative work, are called upon to intervene in matters that directly affect the lives of citizens, particularly in the areas of structural reforms, social protection, economic development, security, education, and health.
"Every decision made here has a real impact on the lives of millions of people. It is for them, and only for them, that this parliament exists," she emphasized.
Regarding the actions of deputies during the legislative session, the president of parliament stated that pluralism "is the strength of democracy, but it cannot be transformed into a pretext for behaviors that undermine the trust and credibility of this institution and national unity."
Democracy "is not limited to elections and voting. It goes beyond that, including debate and the confrontation of ideas in a civilized, ethical, responsible, and committed manner. It was on the basis of these premises that, even in the most critical and seemingly irreconcilable moments, we were able to overcome our differences and build bridges through broad consensus, in honor of the greater good, which is the interest of the heroic and generous Angolan people who elected us," she noted.
She also argued that the "natural antagonisms of political life should not degrade the level of parliamentary debate, create irreparable political fractures, or, worse still, trample on the law and the rule of law. We are all representatives elected by the people."
"It is up to us to honor this trust with concrete examples of responsible citizenship, mutual respect, and elevated language and conduct. The entire country watches and judges us," she emphasized, considering that "every word we speak and every gesture we make in this house echoes beyond these walls."
"Therefore, we must be aware that the responsibility to legislate comes with the duty to be a model of civic-mindedness, tolerance, and democratic commitment," she noted.
Carolina Cerqueira also said that the 2024-2025 legislative year, which saw eleven laws approved and published in the Official Gazette, five laws approved and in the final drafting phase for publication in the Official Gazette, and 40 resolutions approved, was "very demanding and laborious."
For the leader, the obstacles and challenges that arose in parliamentary work were addressed and resolved with "courage and pragmatism from all the parliamentary forces, transforming them into opportunities to find solutions appropriate to the progress and well-being of our people."
"Each legislative initiative, each intervention, and each vote contributed, directly or indirectly, to the consolidation of peace, the strengthening of democracy, and the promotion of social justice," the parliamentary leader also stated.
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the Social Renewal Party (PRS), the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNL), and the Human Party of Angola (PHA) are the political forces that make up the current parliament, which has 220 members elected in the 2022 general elections.
The fourth parliamentary year of the current legislature will open on October 15th with the State of the Nation address delivered by President João Lourenço.
