“The detailed debate has also introduced some additional risks, and the Government and this majority leave this parliament with a budget different from what they initially proposed. Why? Because, once again, recalling the poor pattern of the previous legislature, the left and Chega have united to approve irresponsible measures that will increase public expenditure,” criticized Paulo Núncio.
The centrist deputy spoke at the closing debate of the State Budget proposal for 2026 (OE2026), taking place in parliament, with guaranteed approval from PSD, CDS-PP votes, and PS abstention.
Referring to the solemn session of November 25, 1975, where André Ventura removed red carnations from the podium where white roses were, the CDS-PP deputy remarked: “For Chega, as was seen, it doesn’t matter whether it’s removing the carnation or approving the horseshoe.”
Paulo Núncio focused his speech on defending the document presented by the PSD/CDS-PP executive, arguing that “a budget that makes the economy grow, reduces taxes, increases salaries and pensions, keeps public accounts balanced, and strengthens National Defense is a good budget both in Portugal and worldwide.”
The centrist parliamentary leader began his speech by arguing that the document “makes the economy grow well above the European average, more than most cohesion countries.”
Núncio continued, stating that the Budget provides “an IRS reduction for all families, an IRC reduction for all companies, and a reduction in special consumption taxes for all consumers.”
“In twenty months we have already reduced taxes by 3.8 billion euros, and we are just getting started,” he added.
Another reason why, according to the centrist deputy, the budget should be approved is related to the increase in the National Minimum Wage, “the increase in the average salary through fiscal incentives for productivity,” and the increase in pensions.
“This budget increases all pensions and again raises the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly, for the most needy pensioners,” he highlighted.
Paulo Núncio made a point of emphasizing, in front of the Minister of Defense, Nuno Melo, also the president of the CDS, that this document “includes the largest investment in National Defense in the history of Portuguese democracy, reinforcing the prestige of our Armed Forces and the commitment to our allies.”
The centrist also mentioned the budget surplus and the reduction of public debt.
In the detailed proposal, according to Paulo Núncio, it was possible “to improve some aspects,” such as “strengthening its solidarity dimension” by increasing, on the proposal of the CDS and PSD, “support for parents with children with cancer, chronic diseases, or disabilities.”
“We will pay the new extraordinary pension supplement in 2026, if the country’s conditions allow it. This is how social policy is done, with responsibility and without fiscal madness,” he asserted.
Núncio also highlighted that the Government will reduce VAT “on hunting” to 6% but also VAT “on housing.”
“In 2026, we will lower the housing VAT to 6% for projects that have started after the Government’s announcement, that is, after October 1, 2025,” he emphasized.
