Amid a campaign rally in Coimbra, José Luís Carneiro responded to journalists’ inquiries about the government’s decision to submit its 2026 State Budget proposal (OE2026) ahead of schedule, initially planned for Friday, rejecting suggestions that the move was to divert attention from other current issues.
“I view it positively because instead of being delivered on the 10th, which is the last day of the electoral campaign, it allows for some political statement between the presentation on Thursday and the last day of the electoral campaign, as everyone will be in the process of closing their electoral campaigns,” he stated.
Thus, a first reaction from the PS leader to OE2026 is promised for Thursday.
“Tomorrow I will say what I have to say about the budget, then I will have to consult with the leadership of the parliamentary group, the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party, and also the Political Committee of the Socialist Party, and we will take a position afterward, as I have always said, by listening to the party bodies,” he added.
The Prime Minister stated today that the OE2026 proposal “is ready” and there was no reason to delay its delivery to Friday, considering it positive that it does not coincide with the last day of the local elections campaign.
The budget proposal will be submitted this Thursday, one day before the legal deadline, according to the agenda note forwarded today by the Ministry of Finance.
