Political developments unfolded today with José Luís Carneiro addressing journalists at the PS headquarters in Lisbon, following the parliamentary approvals of the State Budget for 2026 (OE2026) and the new nationality law.
Discussing the nationality law and statements made by Luís Montenegro, Carneiro perceived “an attempt by the prime minister to hide from the alliance formed with Chega on nationality matters.”
The prime minister argued on Tuesday that all conditions are set for the nationality law to be enacted, dismissing concerns over the pivotal vote coming from Chega, and criticized the PS for voting against it “without apparent reason.”
Regarding OE2026, the PS leader suggested that a dissenting vote might have been “convenient” for the Government to blame the PS “for its incompetence” and reiterated the sentiment expressed on Monday that the prime minister now has until 2026 “to prove his worth.”
“A vote against could indeed have suited him to blame the PS for his incompetence and irresponsibility, but the PS did not grant him that satisfaction,” he remarked, explaining the socialists’ abstention in the OE2026 vote.
According to the PS leader, prime minister Luís Montenegro “will have no excuses from the PS vote not to address the fundamental issues facing the Portuguese,” issues he “promised to resolve as if with a magic wand.”
“Now, in 2026, he will have to show what he is truly capable of,” he stated.
The PS leader noted that by the end of this budgetary period, it will become clear “whether or not he honors the commitments made to the Portuguese.”
The amendments to the Nationality Law, initiated by a government proposal, were approved on Tuesday in a final global vote by PSD/CDS, Chega, and IL, surpassing the absolute majority threshold of 116 out of 230 deputies.
