Francisco Figueira, PSD MP elected for Évora, accused PS and PCP of "inconsequential rhetoric" regarding the IP2, reacting to the positions of the two parties after the opening to traffic of the Eastern Variant of Évora. The new infrastructure, with 12.8 kilometres and a total investment of 54.9 million euros, allows diverting part of the regional traffic that crossed the city and integrates the IP2 route in Central Alentejo. The social-democrat parliamentarian classified the opening as "a historic moment" and considered that it represents "another commitment fulfilled" by the current Government in the region.
Francisco Figueira's position comes after the political interventions of PS and PCP regarding the opening of the new infrastructure and the road investments that remain unrealized in the Alentejo. The MP questions why the section of the IP2 between São Manços and Estremoz was not completed during the eight years of socialist government. "Instead of explaining to the people of Alentejo the reason why they did not complete the IP2 route, they came invoking the administrative programming of the PRR," stated the parliamentarian.
Francisco Figueira accuses PS of "inconsequential boasting" and refers to PCP's positions as "demands of bad conscience," holding both parties politically responsible for the way they now intervene in the debate about regional accessibility. The MP's criticisms also extend to the situation of road connections in Beja and Portalegre, two district capitals in the Alentejo, which are also used to question the balance sheet of previous socialist administrations.
The social-democrat MP also linked the suspension of various public investments to the consequences of the financial crisis that culminated in Portugal's request for external financial assistance in 2011, considering that this situation left a "heavy legacy" with consequences for mobility in the region. Francisco Figueira contrasted the work now opened to traffic with the opposition's criticism, summarizing the PSD's position in the phrase: "More than words and proclamations: facts and results."
