The Madeira Government’s Investment Plan proposal, amounting to 1.044 billion euros, has been approved, with votes in favor from the majority PSD/CDS-PP, abstentions from JPP, Chega, and IL, and opposition from PS.
Both proposals were approved in general last Monday, receiving favorable votes from the majority PSD/CDS-PP and abstention from the entire opposition, followed by a specialized debate.
The opposition presented around 70 proposed amendments, of which seven were accepted (six from IL and one from Chega).
The closing session was attended only by the Regional Secretary of Finance, Duarte Freitas, from the Regional Government. He stated that “this is a responsible and balanced budget. Without artifices, with robust public investment, active social function, and always focused on sustainability.”
The official declared that not accommodating the “demagogic and opportunistic amendments that the opposition, lacking executive power, seeks to introduce is not a sign of arrogance.”
For Duarte Freitas, this stance “represents coherent respect for the choice made by the people of Madeira and Porto Santo,” who gave PSD more votes than other parties in the regional elections on March 23.
The official considered that the proposal “materializes the program endorsed by the population and approved in the regional parliament.”
Duarte Freitas emphasized that the Regional Government will continue to work “with feet firmly on the ground,” to continue “asserting autonomy, reinforcing social and territorial cohesion.” He underscored that this is the first budget and investment plan of this Madeira executive, giving the proposals “a particular character” because they are presented at the end of the first semester and a few months before documents for 2026.
The Regional Secretary of Finance also argued that it is “prudent and indispensable that the financial relationship between the State and the autonomous regions be redefined and clarified,” which involves revising the Regional Finance Law, a demand that “is not a whim, a craze, or a trend, but an essential and urgent process.”
“There needs to be the construction of a simpler and more objective law that leaves no room for conjunctural interpretations and is immune to political-partisan dynamics” and “ensures the proper compensations for the immutable and particular characteristics of the autonomous regions.”
Among other aspects, it reiterated that the budget proposal continues “the tax reduction path initiated in 2016,” focusing efforts on access to health, housing supply, support for the most vulnerable, and modernization of public administration.
“This is not about a revolution, but an evolution and a focus on what is truly a priority,” he pointed out.
Duarte Freitas indicated as priorities the construction of the new hospital in Madeira and the health unit of Porto Santo Island, the need to “ensure a more robust housing supply at prices compatible with available income levels,” and maintaining the path of expansion, development, and improvement of the integrated continuous care network.
The approval of this budget represents “a clear political choice: between the path of responsibility, stability, and rigor and the path of demagogy,” the official reinforced.
The Regional Government’s Budget and Investment Plan proposals for 2025 were assured approval since PSD and CDS-PP signed a parliamentary incidence and governance agreement after the early regional elections on March 23, ensuring an absolute majority.
The Madeira parliament, with 47 seats in the chamber, consists of 23 PSD deputies, 11 from JPP, eight from PS, three from Chega, one from CDS-PP, and one from IL.
