Élvio Sousa emphasized that this has been the party’s usual practice in previous budgets and highlighted the reduction of living costs, investment in health, and increased public housing supply as the three main areas where they will present proposals during the document’s discussion.
“It’s abstention in general in the PIDDAR (Investment Plan) and the budget. Depending on whether the proposals are accepted or not, the [final global vote] varies accordingly,” he stated.
The JPP’s secretary-general addressed journalists after a meeting with the regional secretary of Finance, Duarte Freitas (PSD/CDS-PP), in Funchal, as part of the preparation for the Autonomous Region of Madeira’s budget proposal for 2026.
Élvio Sousa noted that “the reduction of the cost of living involves reducing IRS and fairly reducing VAT,” indicating that the party will later decide “how many percentage points” of reduction they will propose.
“But for this to happen, the Government would need to trim expenses,” warned the JPP’s parliamentary leader in the Regional Legislative Assembly, the largest opposition party with 11 out of the 47 deputies of the assembly.
In addition to increasing housing construction and ensuring maximum guaranteed response times in health, Élvio Sousa also highlighted that they will propose the resumption of the ‘ferry’ connection between Madeira and the mainland, noting that there was a “blackout in the State Budget” concerning this commitment.
“We will present, in this Regional Budget, a proposal for the Regional Government to quickly start negotiations with the Regional Government of the Canary Islands to implement the passenger and cargo maritime ‘ferry’ line that existed until now,” he stated.
When asked if this issue being secured could lead to voting alongside PSD, Élvio Sousa stressed the need to remain vigilant, accusing the social-democratic executives of approving proposals and then not fulfilling them.
The insular leader met today with representatives from the six parties represented in the regional parliament: IL, CDS-PP, Chega, PS, JPP, and PSD.
The Regional Budget for the coming year is guaranteed approval, as PSD and CDS-PP hold an absolute majority through a parliamentary coalition agreement.
