Political parties have until today to propose amendments to the document submitted by the Government to parliament on October 9. As of Thursday at 8:00 PM, nearly 1,100 proposals had been submitted to the Assembly of the Republic, approximately 300 fewer than the same time last year.
Political forces have until 6:00 PM to submit budget amendment proposals. On this day, hearings include the Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security in the morning and the Minister of State and Finance at 3:00 PM.
Out of 1,079 proposals already submitted by the parties, Chega leads with 351 initiatives, although this is below the 600 amendments promised by party leader André Ventura. Among these proposals are measures such as a two percentage point reduction in the state surcharge of Corporate Income Tax (IRC) and a permanent 1.5% increase in pensions.
Regarding pensions, André Ventura expressed willingness to reach consensus with other factions for a permanent increase proposal. This follows a 2024 parliamentary decision that approved an additional pension increase of 1.25%, proposed by the PS, and abstained by Chega, despite opposition from executive parties.
The PS has not yet submitted any amendments to the State Budget, reserving them for the final day. However, the PS Secretary-General announced plans to use the surplus in the Social Security budget for a permanent increase in the lowest pensions, a proposal rejected by the Government. Additionally, he suggested using revenue from the tax on petroleum products (ISP), if it exceeds the forecasted increase for 2026, to reduce VAT on basic food items.
The Liberal Initiative (IL) has already presented 84 proposals with a focus on fiscal issues, including the abolition of the “Mortágua tax” (additional to the IMI), reducing Corporate Income Tax (IRC) to 18%, and lowering VAT on construction to 6%.
On the left, Livre, with 140 initiatives submitted, proposed reducing the maximum VAT rate from 23% to 21%, increasing the minimum wage to 1,250 euros over the next four years, and implementing a four-day workweek.
The Communist Party (PCP), with over 250 disclosed proposals, seeks a permanent 5% increase in pensions, raising the minimum wage to 1,050 euros, and initiatives to penalize taxation on economic groups while benefiting micro and small businesses and lower IRS brackets.
The Left Bloc (BE) proposed creating a support fund for municipalities with the six dams sold by EDP, funded by taxes paid by the Portuguese utility; the People, Animals, Nature (PAN) party wants a housing cooperatives program and reduced VAT for health and animal food; and the platform, Together for the People (JPP), made a sole proposal to adapt the TVDE regime to the specificities of autonomous regions.
The three Social Democratic Party (PSD) deputies from Madeira submitted three proposals, including extending the fiscal regime of the Madeira Free Zone until 2033. The PSD and CDS-PP submitted two initiatives, both aimed at correcting errors in the document approved in general.
It is expected that more initiatives will be presented today, as is customary, with several press conferences scheduled where the final proposals for the specialty discussion will be announced.
Last year, the parliamentary parties submitted 2,123 modification proposals to the State Budget for 2025, again setting a record for alterations to the document.
After the hearings and proposals submission, the plenary discussion will take place from November 20 to 26 in the morning, with voting in the Budget, Finance, and Public Administration Committee in the afternoon, culminating in the final global vote on the 27th.
