The AD – PSD/CDS Coalition unveiled its electoral program for the May 18 legislative elections on Friday at the Lisbon Congress Center.
The coalition outlined various plans for the upcoming vote, with measures ranging from higher salaries to the reduction of corporate and individual income taxes, according to an executive summary obtained by Lusa.
Following the presentation by PSD President Luís Montenegro, opposition reactions emerged promptly.
“Unrealistic and Unreliable”
“The AD program clashes with reality. From the start, it contradicts the reality depicted by national and international institutions. It goes against the common sense of the Portuguese who have adopted and appreciate sensible accounting,” stated PS Deputy and Leader António Mendonça Mendes in an initial response to the electoral program presented by Luís Montenegro earlier that afternoon.
Mendonça Mendes claimed, “Unlike the PS, the AD promises economic growth that no one anticipates” and asserted that the coalition “says one thing in Portugal and another in Brussels.”
“It is a program that is not serious, not credible, and cannot be taken seriously. We need leaders who offer us security and credibility,” the socialist criticized.
The PS argued today that the AD’s electoral program “clashes with reality” and “isn’t serious or credible,” considering that a government with “multiple voices” on deficit issues “lacks credibility to the Portuguese.”
Lusa | 19:59 – 11/04/2025
“A Two-bedroom Apartment in Lisbon Still Costs 1,200 Euros. This is the Reason for Instability”
Questioned by journalists about Luís Montenegro’s statement that “elections are an opportunity to restore the stability Portugal needs,” Mariana Mortágua highlighted that the stability argument has been invoked “both by PSD and PS in a contest to see who comes out on top” in the May 18 elections.
The Left Bloc coordinator argued that “being ahead does not guarantee stability,” exemplifying that both socialist and social-democratic governments have ended prematurely.
However, Mortágua noted, “A more grave and substantive issue” can be raised.
“Luís Montenegro presents in his program a minimum wage similar to that proposed by the Socialist Party, targeting 1,100 euros by the end of the legislature while a T2 in Lisbon still costs 1,200. This is the reason for instability,” she declared.
The BE coordinator warned today that the AD’s electoral program proposes a minimum wage of 1,100 euros by 2029, “but a T2 in Lisbon still costs 1,200,” criticizing both the PSD and PS.
Lusa | 19:00 – 11/04/2025
A notion shared by Left Bloc MEP Catarina Martins, who criticized Luís Montenegro for offering “no measures to lower housing prices.”
“He persists in fiscal mechanisms, which have proven recently to increase rather than decrease housing costs, and still regards it normal that salaries are lower than housing costs. This is the significant issue,” she said.
The AD – PSD/CDS Coalition electoral program was presented by PSD President Luís Montenegro on Friday.
Notícias ao Minuto | 09:11 – 12/04/2025
Rui Rocha Claims “Housing is an Essential Good and Shouldn’t Be Taxed Like a Yacht”
Regarding the AD – PSD/CDS Coalition’s electoral program, Rui Rocha commented: “It seems less ambitious for personal income tax, for example, less ambitious in terms of housing measures compared to what the Liberal Initiative proposes, like reducing VAT on construction because we’re experiencing a crisis.”
“Housing is an essential good and should not be taxed like a yacht, a luxury item. We have a concrete, more ambitious measure here. It seems to me that the AD falls short of the Liberal Initiative’s ambition,” highlighted Rui Rocha in comments to SIC Notícias.
The AD – PSD/CDS Coalition electoral program was presented by PSD President Luís Montenegro on Friday.
Notícias ao Minuto | 09:13 – 12/04/2025
