Sao Tome, Feb. 6, 2026 (Lusa) - The opposition parties in Sao Tome and Principe on Friday secured the approval of the state budget for 2026 in the first reading and vote, given the lack of support from the majority party, but warned that this is not a "blank cheque" for the Government.
The state budget and the five-year government spending plan were approved with 34 votes in favour, 18 from the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP) and two from the Basta Movement, both from the opposition, five from the Independent Citizens' Movement-PS/PUN coalition, and only nine from the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party, which holds an absolute majority of 30 seats in parliament.
Most ADI MPs were not in the chamber at the time of the vote, and two, including the former speaker of parliament Celmira Sacramento, abstained.
"The country is going through a very complicated political, social and economic situation that requires everyone, especially us political agents and actors, to show greater responsibility, greater spirit of patriotism and sense of statehood. That is why the MLSTP decided to approve this budget, following the rejection we were preparing in relation to the motion of censure presented last week," said the MLSTP spokesperson.
According to Wuando Castro, the MLSTP believes that this is not the time for a caretaker government, to call early elections, or for the country to "embark on the usual political crises," but rather "to consolidate legislative governments" and collective agendas.
Voting in favour of the budget "does not necessarily mean that we support this government unconditionally. We remain an opposition party [...] do not see this as a blank cheque," Wuando Castro stressed.
The Movimento Basta expressed a similar position, with Levy Nazaré stressing that "the country is in a bad way" and "facing many difficulties, but everyone is called upon to unite to overcome" the situation, avoiding exacerbating the political crisis just a few months before the elections.
"We decided to vote in favour (...) because these two instruments are extremely important for the life of the people," Levy Nazaré emphasised.
The MCI-PS/PUN coalition, despite having a parliamentary agreement with the ADI, led by former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada, who has contested the current government, justified its vote in favour on the grounds of consistency with its vote on previous budgets.
"We are a responsible party that does not want to hinder the development of São Tomé and Príncipe," said MCI-PS/PUN parliamentary leader Beatriz Azevedo.
The prime minister thanked the parties for approving the documents, which he says aim to improve the conditions of the population.
"We are aware of the difficulties that need to be improved, but we also have a sense of responsibility to work to improve the conditions of the São Toméan people," said Prime Minister Américo Ramos, adding that the current State Budget will allow the government to continue with the actions of the previous year and launch new initiatives.
On Thursday, at the opening of the debate, the prime minister argued that the state budget and the five-year government spending plan for 2026 present a realistic macroeconomic framework and respect national and international commitments.
The head of the São Tomé government stressed that the State Budget, valued at around €233 million (down from €265 million budgeted for 2025), "focuses on strengthening internal revenue collection," but "not through blind and disproportionate tax increases."
Américo Ramos assured that "the basic basket of goods remains protected, with tax exemptions and profit margin controls" and that "small taxpayers will continue to be protected", so that "those with greater contributory capacity" will pay more.
The debate on the State Budget and five-year government spending plan took place in meetings convened by 28 MPs from the MLSTP, the Basta Movement and some MPs from the Independent Democratic Action (ADI), who give parliamentary support to the current government and who dismissed the speaker of parliament, Celmira Sacramento, on Monday.
The crisis in the São Tomé parliament began on 27 January, leading to the suspension of the session by the speaker after heated discussions between MPs for and against a motion of no confidence in the government, presented by some ADI MPs, but which was eventually withdrawn the following day.
The São Toméan President has scheduled presidential elections for 19 July and legislative, regional and local elections for 27 September.
JYAF/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
