00:00Parliament belongs to everyone, not the ruling party, not the opposition, and not some independents who pretend to be independents, and certainly does not belong to any fake elites.
00:14The declaration by Prime Minister Kamala Pesad-Besessa during the ceremonial opening of the 13th Parliament, one which she said is remarkable for different reasons.
00:24This is the first time in 25 years, Mr. Speaker, quarter of a century, that there are three political parties in this House.
00:34So we welcome the third political party, the members of Portugal, and of course, government and opposition.
00:43First Parliament in 25 years.
00:47This plural composition is indeed a true reflection of a diverse republic.
00:54And the Prime Minister extended congratulations to the new Speaker of the House, Jagdao Singh.
00:59Senior Counsel Pesad-Besessa also thanked her constituents for again electing her to serve as the MP for Separia,
01:05and was grateful for the number of seats her party won in the 2025 general election.
01:11We are cognizant that our citizens have given our government a three-fifths majority.
01:18That's a very special majority.
01:24And we thank the people of TNT for giving us that majority, because that's how the law is.
01:32We will need that majority from time to time.
01:34But I give the assurance today we will not abuse that power that you have given us.
01:39The Prime Minister also had some advice for the nine independent senators, seven of whom are brand new to the Senate.
01:48The independent Senate bench of the last two Parliament terms has been amongst some of the not best ones in our history.
01:56And I trust that in this dispensation, in this state in Parliament, that we will get some true independence.
02:02But that is what holds the balance between the opposition and the government.
02:05The Prime Minister gave an indication of what the population could expect during the new Parliament,
02:11as it is set to begin its debate of the mid-year review of the budget by June.
02:16Crime is not a statistic.
02:18It is a daily terror for too many families.
02:21And so our agenda will include, both legislatively and non-legislatively, the fight against crime.
02:28We will give our judiciary and law enforcement officers the necessary tools and support
02:35whilst we invest in prevention, education and community development.
02:41We will be looking from groceries to gas to electricity.
02:46We must help the working class in this country.
02:50However, the Prime Minister had a will of caution for all of the MPs.
02:55If you sit in this chamber, all of you, thinking you are here on your own frolic,
03:02believing that power belongs to you, instead of the people who put you here,
03:08then be prepared for a very short stay in this chamber.
03:14Trust me, Mr. Speaker, I've been here for some time.
03:18Some people just last only one day in this job.
03:21The House of Representatives adjourned to a date to be fixed.
03:30Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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