José Manuel Rodrigues / CDS-PP Madeira Speaking About How Lives for Madeirans Improves
Yesterday’s headlines quoted José Manuel Rodrigues (CDS-PP), former president of the parliament and Madeira government coalition member, speaking at a Christmas event about Madeira’s economic development and how, according to him, it has or will improve the lives of Madeirans.
While there is respect for Mr. Rodrigues, as he seems to have an eye on global matters and genuinely appears to be an advocate of democracy, he is not convincing. But can he be?
José Manuel Rodrigues / CDS-PP Madeira - on Improving Lives of Madeirans
José Manuel Rodrigues addressed the issue by stating that economic growth must improve stronger social development, ensuring that wealth is effectively shared across the whole of Madeira’s population. Here is what he said:
Source: Diário de Notícias Madeira quoting José Manuel Rodrigues
At the traditional CDS/Madeira Christmas dinner, José Manuel Rodrigues addressed the issue, arguing that economic growth must translate into greater social development, with wealth reaching all Madeirans.
For the leader of the Madeiran centrists, “this is already happening, through wage increases and tax reductions, but it must be strengthened in 2026 and in the years ahead,” he said, speaking to a full room at a restaurant in Câmara de Lobos.
Stressing that “no one can be left on the margins of development,” José Manuel Rodrigues - who holds the Economy portfolio in the Regional Government led by Miguel Albuquerque - assured that “there are already clear effects of economic growth in the lives of people and families,” while acknowledging that this distribution of wealth still needs to be reinforced. In this context, he pointed to “wage increases above inflation,” 1️⃣ alongside a “reduction in the tax burden on citizens and families,” partly already secured through a 30% cut across all IRS income tax brackets from 2026,2️⃣ which he recalled as one of his party’s flagship commitments.
The centrist leader also referred to the one–percentage-point reduction in the minimum VAT rate 1️⃣, the cut in corporate tax (IRC) to 13.3% 2️⃣ and the increase in the regional minimum wage to €980.3️⃣ The next objective, he said, should be to raise middle-class wages, also above inflation, “so that Madeirans can feel in their daily lives the results of the economic growth that Madeira has recorded for 55 consecutive months 4️⃣, driven by the work of entrepreneurs and workers, but also by the sound public policies of the Government.”
Unconvincing, and Raising the Big Question
The hope he is trying to instill disintegrates when taking a closer look at what is being promised. What is said does not convince, because it merely says that the government has not delivered after almost half a decade of steady growth, all while promising improvements that will not make a difference.
It however raises the big question: How can an economic model that relies heavily on a chronically low–wage, constantly expanding tourism industry truly improve people’s lives?
Simply put: It can not.
Not because the model fails to generate wealth, it does, but because workers are expendable, and companies have little incentive to offer fair wages.
Unless the government credibly changes course and diversifies investments - no matter how challenging that may be for a remote island in the middle of the Atlantic - real improvements for Madeirans will remain out of reach.
More golf courses will drive up property prices and strain public budgets. However, the jobs created will remain low-paid, tied to a replaceable workforce, and attract more foreign workers, which will further strain societal cohesion and increase hostility toward minorities.
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