Alberto João Jardim
President of the Social Democratic Party of Madeira | |
---|---|
In office 11 July 1977 – 10 January 2015 | |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Miguel Albuquerque |
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira | |
In office 19 July 1976 – 16 March 1978 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal | 4 February 1943
Political party | Social Democratic Party (1974–present) |
Spouse |
Maria Ângela Andrade Martins
(m. 1968) |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | University of Coimbra |
Alberto João Cardoso Gonçalves Jardim,
Early years
Jardim was born on
Jardim became a secondary school teacher. He was also director of the Instituto de Emprego e Formação Profissional da Ilha da Madeira (Employment and Vocational Training Centre of Madeira Island). As a journalist, he was director of "Jornal da Madeira", and wrote for different Portuguese newspapers and magazines.[citation needed]
Politics
He was one of the Founders [citation needed] of the then Popular Democratic Party (PPD) in May 1974, a month after the Carnation Revolution, together with Francisco Sá Carneiro, Francisco Pinto Balsemão, Joaquim Magalhães Mota, Carlos Mota Pinto, João Bosco Mota Amaral, António Barbosa de Melo and António Marques Mendes, and co-founder of its Madeiran branch.
First elected in 1978 at the age of 35, Alberto João Jardim was then successively elected President of the Regional Government of Madeira 10 times. He is a member of the:
- Portuguese Republicas the President of the Regional Government of Madeira
- State Defense Council of the Portuguese Republic
- State Internal Defense Superior Council of the Portuguese Republic
- Homeland Security Superior Council of the Portuguese Republic.
He is one of the longest-serving, democratically elected leaders of any jurisdiction in the world.
Alberto João Jardim is also a member and former Vice President (2000–2001) of the European Union Committee of the Regions. He is Honorary President of the European Summit of Regions & Cities.
He is the founder and a member of the Assembly of European Regions. He was Vice President of European People's Party.
On 19 February 2007, he resigned from his office in protest against the new law on regional finances enacted by the national government of José Sócrates. Due to his resignation, early elections had to be scheduled, which he won easily. The national government, nevertheless, announced that the law wouldn't be changed.
On 8 January 2011, he suffered a heart attack but recovered and won elections again on 9 October 2011, after winning he promised to resign in early 2015.
On 12 January 2015 he retired as President of the Social Democratic Party of Madeira, elections were held and Miguel Albuquerque succeeded him as President of the Social Democratic Party of Madeira.
On 14 February 2015 during the carnival of Madeira which Alberto usually participated, he wore a Greek traditional hat, he stated that it was to show his solidarity for the people of Greece and Syriza. He also warned that the new government of Madeira that will replace him should be strong and not bow to the government of Lisbon, because the people of Madeira want strong leadership because Madeira has been robbed by Lisbon for 5 and half centuries, therefore justifying the financial hole that occurred during the later part of his presidency and if they fail to deliver Je suis un Syriza (I am a Syriza) (It has been speculated that this could mean he would make a comeback if Madeira needed him).[1]
On 29 March 2015 regional elections were held and Alberto ruled himself out as he had said he would in 2011, Miguel Albuquerque won the election and became the new president on 20 April 2015.
Family
In 1968 he married Maria Ângela Andrade Martins (born 1940) and had three children:
- Cláudia Sofia Martins Gonçalves Jardim (born 24 August 1970), married to David Gomes and mother of Maria Carlota Jardim Gomes (born 1998)
- Pedro Alberto Martins Gonçalves Jardim (born 8 January 1972), single
- Andreia Luísa Martins Gonçalves Jardim (born 1975), married to José Miguel Monteiro de Resende Tropa (born 1975) and mother of Pedro Afonso Gonçalves Jardim de Resende Tropa (born 2005), Maria Pilar Gonçalves Jardim de Resende Tropa (n. 2013) and João Francisco Gonçalves Jardim de Resende Tropa (2013).
Controversies
A controversial personality, Jardim is usually seen as an outspoken populist, who is infamous for his often outspoken remarks about his political opponents, from left to right, including several journalists.
As Madeira's democratically elected political leader for over 30 years, he has many supporters who view him as a responsible and proactive governor, particularly well regarded in the Archipelago of Madeira proper. Despite his confrontational, explosive and sometimes impolite personality, Jardim has claimed many benefits and privileges for Madeira, helping the region to improve in several fields throughout the years it has been under his leadership.
However, the
In addition, Jardim's government of the autonomous region was financially supported, decade across decade, by massive
The debt was finally totaled at €6 billion, €3 billion less than the total that Alberto said mainland Portugal owed Madeira.
His name has been often associated with the
Other affiliations
- He was a fan of C.S. Marítimo, a sports club from Funchal. In 1997 he tried to join the three biggest teams from Funchal in one unified and governmental team. Then the popular Marítimo's supporters denied that intention in a big demonstration. After that he has been seen on the C. D. Nacional side. He will be the president of the commemorations of the 100 years of Nacional.
- Invited Professor of the Universidade Independente, a Private University in Lisbon.
Honours and Distinctions
National Honours and Distinctions
Portuguese Ancient Military Orders
- Order of Christ (21 December 2015)[6]
Portuguese National Orders
Municipal Honours
- Funchal Medal of Honour[7]
- Santa Cruz Medal of Honour[7]
- São Vicente Collar of Honour[7]
Other Portuguese Distinctions
- Commander of Benefaction of the Portuguese Red Cross Medal[7]
- Portuguese Firemen League Gratitude Medal[7]
- Portuguese Firemen League Meritorious Service Medal[7]
- Portuguese Firemen League 20 Years of Good Service Medal[7]
- Madeiran Volunteer Firemen 50 Years Commemorative Medal[7]
- National Scouts Corps Meritorious Service Medal[7]
Foreign Honours
European
- EPP Group)
- "Pro Merito" Medal[7] (Council of Europe)
Sweden
Venezuela
Federal Orders
- Grand Officer of the Order of the Liberator[7]
- Generalísimo (First Class) of the Order of Francisco de Miranda[7]
State Orders
- Guárico State's Order of Ricardo Montilha[7]
- Aragua State's Order of Saurau de Aragua[7]
- Lara State's Order of Jacinto Lara[7]
Municipal Orders
- Chacao Municipality's Order of Community[7]
- Iribarren Municipality's Order of Juan Guilhermo Iribarren[7]
Other Honours
Academic Distinctions
European
- "
National
- "Honoris Causa" doctorate granted by the University of Madeira.[8]
Published books
- Tribuna Livre (3 vols.)
- Pela Autonomia e o Desenvolvimento Integral (2 vols.)
- A Experiência da Autonomia Regional da Madeira
- Regionalização, Europa, Estado e Poder Local
References
- ^ (in Portuguese) No desfile de Carnaval Jardim disse que está solidário com o povo grego, in RTP Madeira
- ^ Portugal-En Archived 2007-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ (in Portuguese) Jardim sobre Silva Lopes: "Esse senhor é um incompetente" Archived 2012-06-09 at the Wayback Machine, Diário de Notícias (September 13, 2011)
- ^ Island spending increases Portuguese debt load[permanent dead link], CBS Moneywatch.com from September 16, 2011
- ^ Fundadores da FLAMA asseguram que o ressuscitar do movimento separatista só interessa a Jardim Archived 2009-05-10 at the Wayback Machine, in Público (Portugal)
- ^ a b "Cidadãos Nacionais Agraciados com Ordens Portuguesas". Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Biografia do Presidente". Governo Regional da Madeira (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- ^ Lusa, Agência. "Alberto João Jardim é o novo Doutor Honoris Causa da Universidade da Madeira". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-10-12.