The Socialist Party has formally requested a meeting with Luís Montenegro following a letter sent last Friday, in which criticism was leveled at Portugal’s unexpected announcement during the NATO Summit. The announcement promised an increase in defense investment to 2% of GDP this year and 5% by 2035.
Socialist José Luís Carneiro argues that decisions of such magnitude require broad political consensus, calling for the establishment of a PS/PSD working group.
“I formally propose the initiation of institutional dialogue between the PSD and the PS, aimed at defining a parliamentary convergence platform on National Defense, particularly regarding strategic investment,” wrote José Luis Carneiro.
The letter outlines that this consensus “should be based on foundational principles, shared strategic guidelines, and a set of concrete measures” involving the sectors of industry, science, innovation, education, and public administration.
José Luís Carneiro suggests the formation of a joint PSD/PS parliamentary working group. In coordination with the government and representatives from relevant sectors, this group would be tasked with presenting a proposal for a Strategic Agreement for a National Development and Defense Capacity Plan within three months.
According to José Luis Carneiro, this proposal will subsequently be submitted to the Assembly of the Republic for consideration.
The Socialist Party believes that the commitments made by Portugal at the NATO Summit in The Hague “cannot be met without broad social and political support, which the government has done nothing to secure.”
The Prime Minister invited both the PS and Chega, now the second-largest party with parliamentary representation, to São Bento on June 18 to discuss the necessity of increasing defense investment.
However, as revealed in this letter by the PS, the meeting provided “little information on how the significant increase in public defense spending would be utilized.” The socialists were taken by surprise when the announcement of 5% of GDP by 2035 was made just days later.
