During a press conference at the Chega headquarters in Lisbon, André Ventura unveiled the party’s proposals for the 2026 State Budget discussions. Ventura proposed a permanent 1.5% increase in pensions, with a caveat that this measure would only proceed if it does not jeopardize fiscal stability.
“Chega supports any proposals leading to a real and structural increase in pensions, provided that such an increase does not undermine the stability of the pension system. That’s clear. Anyone can claim to propose a 20% or 30% pension increase; that would collapse the system the next day,” he stated.
Upon being asked if this meant the party was open to supporting a PS proposal for a pension increase, Ventura expressed interest in negotiating a “more consensual proposal among all parties” rather than specifically endorsing what the socialists propose.
“It won’t be anyone’s proposal. I believe we could achieve a national consensus on pension increases in Portugal,” he added, noting that Chega would “align with some proposals already announced by other parties regarding pensions.”
Regarding the PS secretary-general’s proposal to use the Social Security budget surplus to permanently increase lower pensions, Ventura criticized the initiative, suggesting the socialists “misunderstand fiscal balance” and accused the party of wanting a “cosmetic deficit.”
In 2025, the PS-proposed additional pension increase of 1.25 percentage points, which will add to the regular annual pension adjustments, was approved during the 2025 State Budget specialty votes, with Chega abstaining and opposition from PSD, CDS-PP, and Iniciativa Liberal.
The party, which plans to submit approximately 600 amendment proposals in the State Budget’s specialty discussions, also proposes raising the housing expense deductions in IRS to 800 euros and providing rent support that exceeds the subsidies for asylum seekers arriving in Portugal.
Without specifics, André Ventura also mentioned Chega’s intent to ensure a genuine IRC decrease, not offset by increases in other indirect or direct taxes on businesses, such as environmental fees.
