“If, next year, the Portuguese have to pay more for diesel or gasoline, if they have to pay more when they go to gas stations, this is not our budget. If the Portuguese, when they look at the next budget, see that we continue to spend more money in Social Security on subsidies and support for those who do not work than for those who work or have worked, this is not our budget,” he stated.
André Ventura said it also isn’t if, “despite all the tricks the Government does,” the youth have to “work triple or quadruple what the European youth work to earn something worthwhile” and have to emigrate.
“And if it’s not our State budget, believe this, we have neither fear, nor apprehension, nor any contingency. We will vote against if we have to vote against and we will not be afraid to say so publicly,” warned the leader of Chega.
André Ventura was speaking on the terrace of a restaurant near the city park of Loures (Lisbon district), in front of several dozen local councilors elected by Chega in this municipality and in Odivelas.
“The Government may forget and think that Chega is a party just like the PS, if they think it is a party that sells itself for positions, for jobs, for pats on the back. We are not, we never were, and we have already shown that we are not, and we have already shown that when we have to fight, we fight,” he stressed.
André Ventura mentioned that the “Government promised a people-friendly budget, friendly to companies and taxpayers,” but presented “something very similar to what the PS did.”
The leader of Chega reiterated that he would not accept an increase in fuel costs and called for more support measures for veterans.
“We look at this budget, despite what the prime minister told me, and it’s exactly the same, the veterans get nothing more. In fact, an immigrant who arrives in Portugal by boat, illegally, receives more and earns more from Social Security than any veteran. We do not accept this,” he stated.
He added: “If the left and the PSD accept this, I want to tell the prime minister if he thinks a veteran is worth less than a Moroccan who reaches the beach in the Algarve, or any other beach, we are on opposite sides, and if we have to vote against, we will vote against. This is not a political issue; it is a matter of decency for the country.”
The proposed State Budget for 2026 already has guaranteed approval, with the PS abstaining.
