President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa addressed journalists at the Champalimaud Foundation regarding an increase in the Constitutional Court’s budget allocation. When asked whether he was criticizing the public stance of the court’s president, José João Abrantes, Rebelo de Sousa replied, “As President of the Republic, I would say that it is not an ideal way to handle our constitutional system. But, well, that is my way of seeing it.”
The Portuguese Parliament approved a budget increase for the Constitutional Court of 1.6 million euros on Wednesday during a session focused on the State Budget for 2026. This decision saw opposition from PSD and CDS-PP, with IL abstaining, and was introduced following a proposal by the Chega party, in response to the court’s request.
When questioned about this budgetary increase, the President highlighted that he does not comment on such matters as “for functional reasons, the budgets of sovereign bodies are handled by the Government, and final decisions are concentrated with the Government.” Without directly addressing the Constitutional Court scenario, Rebelo de Sousa pointed out that the same happens with the Presidency of the Republic, explaining that while they prepare a budget proposal, it is ultimately integrated into the State Budget by the Government.
“You have never heard, and will not hear me, comment on whether the President’s budget should be more or less, because the President lacks administrative and financial functions, and this is part of the long-standing rules,” Rebelo de Sousa stated. He further emphasized that “the President of the Republic does not have the authority to autonomously set the budget or determine its inclusion in the State Budget.” He remarked that the Government always has the final say on budget integration.
Reflecting on the ongoing practice, Rebelo de Sousa remarked, “There has never been, from the Presidency of the Republic, across various presidents and governments, any instance where this issue was brought for public debate while the budget was being voted on.” He added, “I think it’s good, and it’s good because that’s how the system functions.”
The President further suggested that altering the decision-making process would require a reevaluation of the system for sovereign bodies as a whole, imagining scenarios where “all courts had budgetary power or decision-making authority.” He reiterated his stance by saying, “So, this is an issue on which I have never commented because it is not part of my mental framework. I would think it would reflect poorly on the Presidency of the Republic to raise these questions.”
Following a unanimous decision by its judges, the Constitutional Court requested a parliamentary hearing, which took place on November 13. During that meeting, President José João Abrantes and Judge Mariana Canotilho highlighted the necessity for increased budget support.
The president of the Constitutional Court recounted that he had a meeting scheduled with the prime minister for December 16, 2024, which was canceled by Luís Montenegro four days before and never rescheduled. Abrantes also mentioned writing to the prime minister on August 25 to emphasize the need for more budgetary provisions, receiving a response only in November, without monetary assurances.
