Chega has formally questioned the government about whether it will reduce or eliminate taxes currently affecting fuel prices before the State Budget, stated André Ventura, speaking to journalists before visiting a festival in Lisbon.
The leader of Chega urged the Finance Minister to provide “a guarantee before the Budget that he will do it,” meaning a commitment to “a reduction or elimination of the surcharge or a sustained reduction of VAT on fuels.”
Ventura challenged the government to ensure this, saying, “Knowing that it can only come into effect next year, I dared the government to avoid this and to give a guarantee, which has not yet been given by the Finance Minister, that it will be done in this State Budget.”
André Ventura noted that the international context will lead to a rise in fuel prices, pointing out that “in Portugal, fuel prices increase not only because of the price of crude but because more than half of the price of diesel and gasoline is taxes, namely VAT and ISP.”
He highlighted that Chega had previously made this proposal, which was rejected, emphasizing that “this is a new context where the escalation of violence in the Middle East will lead to more difficulties in this market.”
“Gasoline and diesel have already increased this week, they will continue or may continue to rise, and it is important for the government to send a political signal that it is willing to lower the level of indirect taxes on fuels so that the population can access fuels more easily,” he argued.
André Ventura also mentioned the possibility of scheduling a debate in parliament on this issue and presenting a “legislative proposal to review fuel taxation” if “the government does not show signs in that direction.”
