“We do not shy away from our responsibilities; we take on all responsibilities, but responsibility does not lie solely with the government; it belongs to everyone,” asserted Luís Montenegro, at the conclusion of a conference held by Rangel Logistics Solutions, a Portuguese logistics company headquartered in Maia, founded 45 years ago.
In addition to public administration, the Prime Minister included entrepreneurs and workers in this shared responsibility.
“It would be a failure, a global failure if we do not make this stability, this potential, the root of safe, constant, and enduring growth that can effectively reflect in the lives of our citizens,” he warned, urging all agents to do their part.
Montenegro emphasized that, on the government’s side, what falls under its purview is “not to waste this opportunity,” arguing that the executive he leads is “implementing a transformative agenda in Portugal.”
“The Portugal of the future is the Portugal of good governance, but it is also the Portugal of bold, diligent people, and bold, innovative institutions and companies,” he stated.
Montenegro admitted that the current context is “highly challenging, but also full of opportunities,” stating there are reasons to believe that Portugal can function as a “locomotive of development” in many areas.
“We are capable of doing many things and doing many things better than others do, before others do them. And that is a task that does not fall solely to governments,” he reiterated.
In the “transformative agenda” claimed for the PSD/CDS-PP Government, Luís Montenegro highlighted the reform of the State, tax changes, and the strengthening of investment execution capacity, particularly in infrastructure.
The Prime Minister admitted that the reform of the State “may not yet be seen as clearly” as intended, but he expressed confidence that it will reach the lives of companies and make “their relationship with the State simpler, more direct, less bureaucratic, less complex, with fewer rules.”
On the other hand, he noted the various reductions in IRS and IRC already implemented by the PSD/CDS-PP executive, highlighting that fiscal policy is a tool to retain and attract the best human resources.
“We do not alter taxes to have more revenue; we alter taxes to have more economic growth,” he declared.
In the area of public investment, Montenegro emphasized “it is no coincidence” that one of the first decisions of his first Government was to decide the location of the future Lisbon airport, stating that the executive is also taking “significant steps” to improve the railway network and implement the port enhancement program.
As he left the conference, held at Pátio da Galé in Lisbon, Montenegro did not answer journalists’ questions, merely wishing them “good work” and laughing when asked if he will keep the Health Minister in office, following reports from Observador and Expresso indicating Ana Paula Martins wishes to leave the executive, at a date to be agreed with the Prime Minister.
