“There is no political autonomy without financial responsibility. This responsibility is lacking in the current government, not because of the incapacity of the Azoreans who work, invest, and take risks, but due to a lack of rigor in governance,” said Nuno Barata.
The sole deputy of IL/Açores made these remarks during the opening of the discussion on the region’s Plan and Budget for 2026 at the Regional Assembly in Horta.
Nuno Barata criticized the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) for the worsening public accounts, warning of the risks that the increase in deficit and debt pose to the region’s autonomy.
“As things stand, autonomy is seriously at risk. We are seeking breath from the outside because internally we cannot breathe. Autonomy that relies on guarantees is not autonomy; it is institutionalized dependence,” he criticized.
The liberal noted that the regional public administrative sector’s deficit exceeds 247 million euros and that the region’s primary balance (excluding interest) “was negative by 48 million euros.”
Barata also highlighted the total debt value, which “rose to 3.492 billion euros, an increase of 177 million in just one year,” and the acquisition of six new loans amounting to 222 million euros.
“The region is spending too much, incurring too much debt, and taking too many risks—not just for the future but for the present as well. We are living beyond the real possibilities of the Azoreans, which jeopardizes the Azores of tomorrow,” he stressed.
Nuno Barata advocated for the privatization of public companies, the redirection of public investment, and a reform of debt management to avoid a financial “bailout” of the region.
“IL does not merely point out what is wrong. We present clear pathways to set public finances on a sustainable course and to free the Azorean economy from the shackles of a future ‘troika,'” he stated.
The third Plan and Budget of the legislative term foresee a total public investment of 1.191 billion euros, including 990.9 million directly under the responsibility of the Regional Government, which presents as its “great goal” the implementation of community funds, particularly the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
Without a majority in the regional parliament, the coalition that includes the Azorean Government has 26 parliamentarians (23 from PSD, two from CDS-PP, and one from PPM) and requires support from Chega (five) or PS (23) to secure the approval of the documents.
The global final vote on the documents is expected to take place on Thursday or Friday.
The Azores parliament is composed of 57 deputies, including 23 from the PSD bench, another 23 from the PS, five from Chega, two from CDS-PP, one from IL, one from PAN, one from BE, and one from PPM.
