In statements to the press at the parliament, PSD parliamentary leader Hugo Soares considered the additional reduction in IRS taxes, amounting to 500 million euros and approved this Wednesday by the Council of Ministers, to be a “well-designed” and fair measure, which the two largest opposition parties should not oppose.
“It is a tax reduction for those who work, and I have no doubt that the two largest opposition parties will have the responsibility not only to approve the measures but also to ensure that this legislative process is swift,” he said.
Hugo Soares added that “the longer [the proposal] is in parliament, the longer it will take for the Portuguese to receive a tax cut,” and that “the Portuguese will not forgive politicians if they delay this legislative process with discussions and talks that do not relate to their everyday lives.”
PS representative Pedro Delgado Alves stated that the party would carefully examine the proposal to position itself, emphasizing that the socialists “tend to prioritize fiscal justice and balance.”
“It is structural, and we will review the proposal submitted by the Government and determine if it meets the minimum standards of revisiting the subject,” he added.
Pedro Pinto of Chega said that the party would take a position on this proposal “in the coming hours” and was informed by the Government that this reduction was to be submitted to parliament.
PCP parliamentary leader Paula Santos confirmed having analyzed the proposal, stating it is a reduction that “goes towards increasing social injustice rather than progressing justice or fiscal fairness,” adding that it “constitutes a trap” benefiting primarily those with higher incomes.
“The Government’s real intention is to provide tax relief to economic groups, multinationals, and simultaneously avoid what is needed in our country, which is salary and pension increases,” she said.
According to Isabel Mendes Lopes of Livre, the proposal “seems targeted at the middle class,” but the higher classes would benefit more, with the Government showing a “willingness to exacerbate inequalities in Portugal.”
Inês de Sousa Real, single deputy of PAN, declared she has “no ideological prejudices” about this matter and supports tax relief for individuals, adding that the party does not want the Government to offer “tax exemptions” such as exemptions on fuel products.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for an additional IRS reduction of 500 million euros on Wednesday, to be implemented this year, with the measure already submitted to Parliament.
In a statement, the Council of Ministers highlighted that the approved proposal “allows for further tax relief by additionally reducing marginal rates across all tax brackets, up to the eighth bracket.”
