In a recent debate, the announcement by the government to notify 4,500 out of 18,000 immigrants to leave the country sparked accusations of electoral manipulation. Responding to this, Luís Montenegro stated that this step is aimed at regulating the situation and dignifying individuals.
Chega leader André Ventura aimed to hold the Socialist Party’s secretary-general, Pedro Nuno Santos, accountable, while liberal Rui Rocha echoed criticisms of socialist policies, especially the dissolution of the Immigration and Borders Service.
The Socialist leader highlighted the administrative competence of AIMA and the oversight by PSP, whereas the Left Bloc and PAN noted immigrants contribute to 500,000 pensions and pay approximately three billion euros into Social Security.
Paulo Raimundo of CDU advocated for joint efforts to encourage emigrants to return to Portugal.
Away from the core debate, Livre spokesperson Rui Tavares demanded André Ventura apologize for individuals seated in parliament and Lisbon’s municipal assembly, who are involved in crimes such as theft, cybercrime, and the prostitution of minors. “He should say ‘I am ashamed to have these people in Parliament,'” Tavares stated. Ventura replied, “I cut straight and Rui Tavares holds straight.”
The focus on housing largely targeted former Socialist Minister Pedro Nuno Santos, now the PS secretary-general. Santos defended his record: “Everyone advocated more construction; I was the only one to launch public construction,” admitting alignment with the AD in identifying the crisis.
Luís Montenegro remarked that the government lacked time to achieve the desired impact on housing, acknowledging issues with the Porta 65 program, including payment delays, while emphasizing the need to address both supply and demand simultaneously.
Paulo Raimundo argued that bank profits should contribute to solving this issue, Rui Tavares called for more public housing, and Mariana Mortágua reiterated her support for rent caps.
Inês Sousa Real of PAN discussed energy poverty and the need to make state-owned vacant houses available, a proposal supported by multiple parties, while Rui Rocha defended property owners, advocating a reduction of construction VAT to 6% and the unfreezing of rents.
André Ventura seized the moment to criticize left-wing parties, asserting that the housing crisis worsened under the ‘geringonça’ government, which saw the PS governing with the support of the PCP and the Left Bloc.
In the health sector, criticisms were aimed at both the AD government and previous PS administrations, with liberal Rui Rocha addressing Pedro (Nuno Santos) and Luís (Montenegro).
Ventura criticized certain individuals as seemingly uninvolved and asserted that health represented “one of the AD’s greatest failures.” Mariana Mortágua from the Left Bloc defended a public investment model that “serves everyone” and avoids private sector extortion.
During his address, Montenegro denied any failure, listing improvements since his PSD/CDS leadership, countered by the socialist leader who emphasized increased community focus and public manager autonomy.
Representing Livre, Rui Tavares reiterated support for the “Regressar Saúde” program and strengthening the B model in family health units, while communist Paulo Raimundo emphasized the SNS’s “lack of professionals” as its biggest issue. PAN leader Inês Sousa Real advocated redirecting funds from bullfighting to animal health.
