“What we really need is to increase pensions, not sporadic bonuses that people don’t even know when they’re coming and are announced conveniently for the prime minister,” criticized Isabel Mendes Lopes during a pre-campaign event in Rio Maior, in the district of Santarém. This is the first time Livre is running in this municipality, with Luís Caetano heading the list.
The parliamentary leader of Livre believes a “structured increase” that “happens every month” is necessary.
Isabel Mendes Lopes emphasized the importance of approving in parliament “a commitment to equity and investment,” determining in advance where to allocate any budget surplus.
“This should not be left in the hands of the Government to announce at their convenience. It should be something thoughtful, structured, outlining what goes towards debt payment and what is for social support. This is a discussion that should involve all parties broadly, but it’s not what the government has been doing,” she accused.
The deputy views the prime minister’s announcement as “just another announcement,” instead of presenting “consolidation policies and more structural ones that allow everyone to know what they can count on at the end of each month.”
On Saturday, the prime minister promised that in the next State Budget, there will be another increase in the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) and, if there’s room, to provide a mid-year supplement to the lowest pensions again.
The municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
