“I am satisfied. The interests of the Azoreans and the Autonomous Region of the Azores have been defended with political and budgetary stability for such a decisive year as 2026. I want to express my satisfaction because the interests of the Azoreans were, above all, safeguarded. I am moved by them,” stated José Manuel Bolieiro to journalists today, following the approval of the documents in the regional plenary in Horta.
The leader of the Azorean executive expressed appreciation for “those who, with their vote, made the Budget proposal viable.”
In his opinion, it was demonstrated “once again, the democratic humility of those who, in the face of proposals to amend and add value without losing coherence in the budget proposal, also saw their proposals approved.”
“In fact, of all those [parties] that presented proposals, we approved proposals from all of them, those we considered immediately compatible with the possibilities of budget execution and those that added value. And yes, I am satisfied,” he concluded.
The Azores budget for 2026 was approved today in a final overall vote in the regional parliament, with votes in favor from PSD, CDS-PP, and PPM, votes against from BE, IL, and PAN, and abstentions from PS and Chega.
The document was approved by majority, with 22 votes in favor from PSD, two from CDS-PP, and one from PPM, votes against from BE (one), IL (one), and PAN (one), and 22 abstentions from PS and five from Chega.
Regarding the abstentions from PS and Chega, Bolieiro noted that the quality of the Plan and Budget “would appreciate a vote in favor, because the proposal had merit.”
“But I also have to recognize that this vote made [the documents] viable and therefore demonstrates a sense of responsibility,” he said.
This year, Chega abstained, whereas last year they voted in favor, but Bolieiro expressed that he faces the decision with “naturalness,” explaining that “political parties seek to establish their electorate during electoral battles.”
“What I can truly appeal for, and which I also left here, is a sense of responsibility, […] giving precedence to the region’s interest and the Azoreans in terms of political stability, regarding the appreciation of those resources we have at our disposal, some in a very exceptional way, as is the case, I repeat, of the Recovery and Resilience Plan,” he said.
He further highlighted that “it was a choice by Chega, contrary to last year, to engage in talks for stability.”
Questioned about the privatization of SATA and the company’s debt, a subject that generated discussion during the debate, the President of the Government of the Azores replied that the Azoreans would be grateful if he had a magic wand and could free them “from the burden of the inherited legacy.”
The voting on the Azorean executive’s budget for the next year took place today in the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly in Horta, Faial Island, after three days of discussions.
In the general voting, the document was also approved by majority, with 22 votes in favor from PSD, two from CDS-PP, and one from PPM, votes against from BE (one), IL (one), and PAN (one), and 22 abstentions from PS and five from Chega.
The third Plans and Budgets of the legislature foresee a total public investment of 1.191 billion euros, including 990.9 million directly under the responsibility of the Regional Government, which presented as a “major goal” the execution of community funds, particularly the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
The Azorean parliament comprises 57 deputies, 23 of whom are from the PSD bench, another 23 from the PS, five from Chega, two from CDS-PP, one from IL, one from PAN, one from BE, and one from PPM.
