Lisbon, Sept. 30, 2026 (Lusa) - The prime minister has called on the opposition to act responsibly when scrutinising the forthcoming State Budget to maintain political stability in Portugal, warning that while there is scope for improvement, the document should be represented accurately.
Speaking at the opening of the National Council, Luís Montenegro promised to present to parliament «a budget in the style of the PSD and the AD», which he described as «rigorous and lean».
«We expect parliament to act responsibly so that we may continue to enjoy political stability, the conditions to see this parliamentary term through, and to leave it to the Portuguese people to assess, in 2029, the merits of the Government's work and the merits of the opposition's work,» he stated.
The PSD leader argued that «this is how a mature democracy should operate, and this is also how we make a difference and enhance the country's reputation abroad», calling on the parties to contribute their ideas and emphasising that the government is listening to everyone in parliament.
«We invite everyone to vote on the State Budget and improve it, while preserving the effective implementation of the budget (…) These are times for seriousness, these are times for prudence; these are times for a sense of the future and a sense of responsibility», he said, reiterating that, at the end of the parliamentary term, voters will be able to «appreciate the merit of their positions».
On the rising cost of living, the prime minister acknowledged that further support might be needed, and he emphasised that the government aims to avoid burdening future generations.
«I cannot say, nor can I tell the Portuguese people, whether this will be enough or for how long we will need this support. Nor can I say whether we will need further measures. What I do know, and what I am duty-bound to say, is that we will be here when needed,» he stated.
The leader of the PSD/CDS-PP government promised that the government will «reconcile the aim of leaving no one behind, of supporting those who need support, with the aim of protecting everyone, and in particular the most vulnerable, from future burdens».
«When there is a financial crisis, when there is a financial problem, it is always those with the least who suffer the most. When we safeguard the future, we are thinking especially of those who are most vulnerable. That is to our credit,» he said.
In a lengthy speech lasting over 40 minutes, Montenegro listed and defended the support measures the government has already granted to tackle rising prices, particularly in the fuel sector, while reiterating that the «absurd and senseless» course of the war in the Middle East was at the root of this crisis.
«We must reconcile the confidence and hope that our results give us with the need to help and support the most exposed and vulnerable social and economic sectors,» he insisted.
At the first National Council meeting following the June Congress, Montenegro once again highlighted the country's economic and financial situation, which he described as «absolutely exemplary», and emphasised how the PSD/CDS-PP government has achieved its deficits.
«Shelving public investment, raising taxes and achieving a balanced budget is one thing; cutting taxes, implementing and carrying out public investment, creating more wealth, and using that wealth creation and increased incomes to achieve a balanced budget is quite another,» he said, in an implicit criticism of previous PS governments.
The PSD leader and prime minister also noted the organisations and figures, without naming them, who have shown «a particular propensity to get their forecasts wrong» regarding the Portuguese economy.
«These figures and organisations always have a lot to say, but they rarely acknowledge, ‘I'm sorry, I got it wrong before, I failed before'. Usually they even say that next year is when everything will go wrong, next year is when there'll be a deficit after all, next year is when the economy won't grow as much as expected,» he remarked sarcastically.
SMA/ADB // ADB.
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