At the conclusion of the Council of Ministers meeting, António Leitão Amaro addressed questions about a potential agreement with Chega on issues like the nationality law and the anticipated party support for reducing corporate tax (IRC) or approving the State Budget for 2026.
“This Government, as the Prime Minister stated yesterday, is committed to a sincere approach of dialogue and openness, particularly with the two major parties. Subsequently, each party will take its own stance on each issue,” he remarked.
The minister argued that in the Government’s negotiations with Chega and the PS, “the facts no longer support the narratives” he hears in public domains.
“There are no privileged relationships, no ‘only talking to one side and not the other, only listening to one and not the other, only approving measures with one party but not with the other,'” he stated.
Leitão Amaro highlighted that the bill creating a Foreigners and Borders Unit within the PSP and the reduction of IRS were enabled by the PS’s abstention. The Government had discussions with this party on all immigration-related bills, addressing some of their concerns, as well as on defense and higher education.
“Regarding the Nationality Law, we consistently requested a postponement, and we responded to that request,” he emphasized.
He further mentioned that the TAP privatization plan, with its 49.9% threshold, “addresses the concerns of the two largest opposition parties, including the Socialist Party.”
“There is a genuine stance of openness or dialogue, based on the Government’s program, followed by a willingness to discuss with each one, depending on their readiness to engage,” he said, lamenting that some parties opt to remain “completely out” of certain discussions.
As for the PS, the minister noted that there is “a historical responsibility” for this party to partake both in efforts for political stability and dialogue.
António Leitão Amaro seized the opportunity during the journalist Q&A session to commend the Government’s decisions on tax reductions, both at the level of IRS, already enacted, and IRC, approved today in the Council of Ministers and still awaiting parliamentary procedures.
“I observe, with a touch of humor, the current zeitgeist in Portugal where everyone perceives we are in a cycle of tax reduction: this is one of Luís Montenegro’s significant achievements in Portuguese politics. Since the AD’s governance began, when the Portuguese hear about taxes, it’s to hear they have been lowered,” he said.
[News updated at 16:52]
