Alberto João Jardim
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Alberto João Cardoso Gonçalves Jardim, GCIH, pron. IPA: [aɫ'bɛɾtu ʒu'ɐ̃ũ ʒɐɾ'dĩ], (born Funchal, Madeira Island, February 4, 1943) is the President of the Regional Government of Madeira, Portugal, and co-founder of the Madeiran branch of the popular centre-right-wing Portuguese party PSD. He was Vice-president of European People's Party. He has at times been a controversial figure.

Early years

Jardim was born in the Madeira Island in 1943. He went to Coimbra in order to study at the local university, and he lived there for over a decade. He has a degree in law from the University of Coimbra, awarded in 1973.

Jardim became a technical and high school teacher. He was also director of the Instituto de Emprego e Formação Profissional da Ilha da Madeira (Employment and Professional Formation Centre of Madeira Island). As a journalist, he was director of "Jornal da Madeira", and wrote for different Portuguese newspapers and magazines.

Politics

First elected in 1978, Alberto João Jardim has since then been successively and democratically elected for President of the Regional Government of Madeira. He is member of the:

• Council of State of the Portuguese Republic
• 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 ex-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 founder and a member of the European Regional Assembly.

On 19 February 2007, he resigned his office in protest against the new law on regional finances enacted by the national government of José Sócrates. His resignation caused early elections, which he won easily. The national government, nevertheless, announced that the law wouldn't be changed.

Other affiliations

• He is a fan of C.S. Marítimo, a sports club from Funchal, and good friend of their President Carlos Pereira.
• Invited Teacher of the Universidade Independente, a private university in Lisbon.[1].

Decorations

• Commander Grand Cross of the Order of The Polar Star (Sweden)
• Grand Cross of the Order of Infante D. Henrique (Portugal)
• Grand Cross of the Order of El Libertador (Venezuela)
• Grand Cross of the Order of Francisco Miranda (Venezuela)
• Commander of Benefaction of the Portuguese Red Cross (Portugal)
• Honorary Knight of the Byzantine Order of the Holy Sepulchre
• European Council "Pro Merito" Medal (European Union)
• Funchal Medal of Honor; (Portugal)
• Santa Cruz Medal of Honor (Portugal)
• São Vicente Collar of Honor (Portugal)
• Chacao Municipality Order of Community Venezuela
• Order of Ricardo Montilha (Venezuela)
• Order of Juan Guilhermo Irribarren (Venezuela)
• Order of Saurau de Aragua (Venezuela)
• Order of Jacinto Lara (Venezuela)
• Portuguese Firemen League Gratitude Medal Portugal
• Portuguese Firemen League Meritorious Service Medal Portugal
• Portuguese Firemen League 20 Years of Good Service Medal
• Madeiran Volunteer Firemen 50 Years Commemorative Medal. (Portugal)
• National Scouts Corps Meritorious Service Medal (Portugal)
• Alberto João has an "honoris causa" doctorate in Political Sciences, granted by the Italian University of St. Cirilio.^{citation needed}

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"

Quotes

• "There are some bastards, in the mainland media. I'll say bastards so I won't call them sons of bitches..." (Diário de Notícias, 5th June 2005)
• "Although they [mainland] are anti-fascists, without ever picking up a rifle, it was the people of Madeira and not those faggots who made the revolution for 29 days against Salazar (an alusion to the 1931 military uprising)."(Diário de Notícias, 31st July 2006)

Controversies

A controversial personality, Jardim has been accused by critics and political enemies of being an outspoken populist, infamous by his abusive fierce remarks about his political opponents and several journalists. This have led to both some amount of disrespect and some formal accusations.^[1]

As the Madeira's democratically elected political leader for over 20 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 frontal 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, it must be noted that the European Union assistance to its ultra-peripheral regions, which includes the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, has played a major role in the region's development - Madeira's development has been massively aided by structural and cohesion funds allocated by the European Union to the regional government.^[2]

References

1. ^ Saiba Mais, in RTP
2. ^ Portugal-En