During commemorations marking Madeira’s autonomy and Portugal’s EU membership, Carlos Coelho cautioned against Portugal adopting a passive role within the European Union. Speaking at a ceremony in Funchal, Coelho emphasized the need for Portugal to be more than simply a beneficiary of EU funds and policies. He identified a key issue facing Europe as a “deficit in execution,” suggesting that existing policies are not being implemented effectively. Coelho’s remarks underscored the importance of proactive engagement from member states. He implied Portugal should contribute actively to the EU’s development and problem-solving. The event celebrated both Madeira’s 50 years of autonomy and 40 years since Portugal joined the European Union. His statement calls for a more assertive and involved Portugal within the European framework.