On October 19, Pedro Nuno Santos, leader of PS, the current main opposition to the Government, will ask the party’s political commission to abstain from voting, highlighting that it is a “commitment to the Portuguese”.

In a press conference hosted on television, Pedro Nuno Santos said the abstention applies not only “to the first reading” but also “to the final overall vote.” The leader of PS also stated that some topics will still be negotiated, although “with complete freedom,” without compromising the public accounts.

During his 10-minute speech, Pedro Nuno Santos mentioned that it was impossible to reach an agreement with the Government, as the executive did not find an understanding with any party. Therefore, the socialist leader considers that the Government is “isolated, and alone”, and “absolutely dependent on the major opposition party”.

While committing to the Portuguese, Pedro Nuno Santos wanted to avoid anticipated elections, as the last ones happened “only seven months ago”. He recalled that if the State Budget proposal is rejected, Portuguese would need to head to the polls again “for the third legislative elections in less than three years, without a perspective of a stable majority”.

Usually, the main opposition party votes against the State Budget, however Pedro Nuno Santos highlights that this time it would promote the “risk of joint political distress” while allowing the “populist and radical right-wing to grow”.

While continuing to mention the far-right parties, Pedro Nuno Santos remembered the audience of the election of the President of the Assembly of the Republic, affirming that the right-wing parties “are not capable of building a majority Government solution”.

With this said, Pedro Nuno Santos said that the PS had to “save the Parliament of an institutional shame”, as the situation that Portuguese politics is living in now, is similar to the one in March, according to the PS leader.

“Victory to the country”

Pedro Nuno Santos reported that some negotiations took place with the Government, mentioning that some measures were approved, although not the way PS wanted. Nevertheless, the socialists recognise that the executive took the PS proposals into account, despite the changes made.

The PS leader highlights the Government decisions when it comes to the IRS Jovem and Corporate Income Tax (IRC). While not formulated as PS wanted, what was already achieved is “a victory to the country” and not to Partido Socialista. However, Pedro Nuno Santos revealed that the Government did not accept his party’s proposals for “housing, health and retirement pensions”.

The Government perspective

Luís Montenegro, the Portuguese prime minister, stresses the “sense of responsibility” of PS, with the voting prospect of abstention. The prime minister recalled the efforts made by the Government to accomplish PS requests while underlining the “humility” of a party that did not achieve the absolute majority of votes.

The discussion of the State Budget 2025 is scheduled to happen on 30 and 31 October, while the final voting is to happen on 28 November.

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos