President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed concern about the approval of the State Budget, emphasizing its fundamental importance and expressing confidence in its passage. He highlighted the significant amount of the Recovery and Resilience Plan that needs to be executed this year, linking European funds to the country’s overall financial and economic landscape.
Speaking to journalists at the Palácio de Belém during the second day of the eighth edition of the Festa do Livro, Marcelo pointed out that Portugal’s economic and financial indicators are positive within the European context. He added that the country’s stability serves as an international example among other countries, European institutions, and financial agencies.
“Economic and financial stability entails an approved budget for the coming year that consolidates this stability,” he stated.
The President also downplayed the risks associated with the budget negotiation process, recalling his time as PSD leader when he endorsed three budgets for António Guterres due to the Euro’s importance. He noted the current issues are equally significant, marked by war, economic instability, and the implementation of structural funds.
Marcelo remarked that the budget text is now “more general and abstract,” avoiding controversial issues better suited for separate legislative measures.
“This implies it might be easier to approve this budget compared to previous times when it was more detailed,” he concluded.
On the IGAS conclusion linking a man’s death in Mogadouro, Bragança, to the INEM strike, the President acknowledged that repeated incidents create a “diffuse idea that things are not going well” and pose a “significant strain” on the Health Minister.
Marcelo urged a comprehensive view of such cases to “draw some conclusions” and promised to address the country’s health situation soon.
When asked if Health Minister Ana Paula Martins should face political consequences, Marcelo remarked that response failures in the health system usually involve direct statements from the Minister herself rather than ministry or institute spokespersons.
“I am observing the situation and will later express my views on the existing program’s overall framework and possible resolutions,” he added.
Concerning the PS’s appeal for the President to consider the diploma related to the extinction of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Marcelo noted the receipt of letters from researchers and reserved judgment on the diploma until it arrives in Belém.
