“We are still very far from the approval or rejection, or whatever it may be, of the State Budget. I think today, unlike other years, we are starting a path of responsibility, and that is the point I want to emphasize, because for now, we have nothing more,” he stated.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with the prime minister at the official residence in São Bento, the leader of Chega said that the two did not reach an understanding, but nor was that “the spirit of this meeting.”
“It wasn’t about reaching an agreement. There was an initial dialogue; I think the country can be reassured that this dialogue is positive, that there is an effort from both sides to build something positive, and for now, that’s what I can say; otherwise, I would be inventing,” he indicated, noting that this process is still “in a very preliminary phase.”
André Ventura stated that he promised the prime minister “very firm demands in some matters” that he considers fundamental and from which the party does not want to deviate, such as a tax reduction or the “reinforcement of funding in matters of justice, security,” or “border control.”
“The prime minister showed openness to continuing the conversation,” he indicated, considering that “now there is a path that has to be followed with responsibility and see if the parties reach an understanding” to avoid another political crisis.
The leader of Chega expressed his desire to see some of Chega’s proposals included in the 2026 budget proposal, such as the reduction of IRS, the “increase of the solidarity supplement for the elderly and the reduction and elimination of tolls in some areas of the territory,” and warned that these measures “are not negotiable.”
“Chega will, under no circumstances, accept that the budget does not embody or express measures that have already been approved, even with PSD’s opposing vote, such as pensions and the solidarity supplement,” he warned.
André Ventura reiterated his refusal to be the “crutch of the Government” and warned that the party will not issue “blank checks.”
Asked whether Chega accepts that the Government also dialogues with the PS, the far-right party leader said he does not make “fusses” and that it’s not up to him to “say with whom the PSD should or should not talk.”
He noted that the question is whether the executive “follows what a right-wing majority gave the country, fewer taxes, less bureaucracy, combat against corruption, or follows what the PS has done for seven years, more taxes, more bureaucracy, more fiscal burden, less combat against corruption.”
“And I think there is only one path; there are no intermediate paths, you cannot be with God and the devil at the same time,” he pointed out.
Ventura also indicated that more meetings around the State Budget will now be scheduled, some of which will be “of a technical nature.”
In this statement to journalists, the president of Chega also mentioned that on Thursday the names of the “shadow government” he announced he would present following the May legislative elections will be revealed.
