The coordinator of the Left Bloc called on the PS to provide clarity regarding the rejection of the State Budget. She argued that it is the responsibility of the right-wing minority government to create the necessary conditions for its approval, while not ruling out the possibility of early elections.
Participation in Housing Demonstration
Mariana Mortágua took part in the housing demonstration in Lisbon, organized by the Casa para Viver platform. When asked about the Friday meeting between the Prime Minister and the leader of the PS regarding the 2025 State Budget, she shared her thoughts on the topic.
She argued:
Pedro Nuno Santos fueled the ambiguity about this Budget and continues to fuel the ambiguity about this Budget and clarity is needed at this time (…) An alternative to the right-wing government is needed in Portugal.
Implications of Budget Rejection
When questioned about whether early elections would be necessary for this clarification, the BE coordinator responded by noting that the notion that rejecting a Budget from a minority government automatically leads to elections was introduced by the President of the Republic.
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She remarked that this might be the worst contribution Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has made to democracy in recent years. The coordinator of the Left Bloc said:
Clarity means that we understand that the budget and governance are bad and say clearly that there should be no budget. A bad budget is bad for the country.
However, as journalists insisted on how this clarification should occur, she admitted that budget failure could lead to elections as one possible consequence. She added:
And if they happen, we will be here for the elections. And this is obviously also a time for political clarification, for choices that people will have to make.
The Expectations Of The Government
Mariana Mortágua emphasized that the Government should not expect a left-wing party to support and make a right-wing budget viable. She reiterated the need for clarity from the PS, warning:
Whoever makes a right-wing government budget viable is not an alternative to a right-wing government, they are not opposing the right-wing government because they will support it during this year and during the next, as we know.
Broader Issues with the Proposed Budget
The BE coordinator argued that the issues with the future State Budget proposed by the PSD/CDS-PP Government extend beyond just the IRC and the young IRS.
It is also because the IRC and the young IRS are the most visible aspects of a government catering to the wealthy, to the elite. But that’s not all, she said, adding that the document would also reflect a liberal right approach in areas like health and housing.
Meeting Between Political Leaders
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and PS Secretary General Pedro Nuno Santos held their first meeting on Friday to discuss negotiations for the State Budget for 2025. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s official residence in São Bento. The meeting lasted around an hour and a half and was concluded with a public handshake between the two leaders.
Also Read: Pedro Nuno Santos Political Stance on State Budget and Stability
Following the meeting, PS Secretary General Pedro Nuno Santos announced his rejection of the State Budget if it includes the changes to IRS Jovem and IRC proposed by the Government. He also dismissed any adjustments or modifications to these measures.
Shortly afterward, in a speech at the 7th Tourism Summit in Mafra, Luís Montenegro described Pedro Nuno Santos’ proposal as radical and inflexible. However, he promised to present a counterproposal to the socialists next week in an attempt to bring their positions closer together.
