The leader of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Paula Santos, expressed criticism towards the government’s decision to focus public resources on defense rather than addressing issues like salaries, pensions, health, housing, and education. Speaking to reporters at the Assembleia da República, Santos stated, “This clearly demonstrates a decision. Instead of solving the country’s problems, the government chooses to channel state resources, which should be mobilized to support workers and the populace, towards war.”
This commentary followed Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s announcement during the inauguration of the XXV Constitutional Government in Lisbon. Montenegro stated that Portugal plans to accelerate the goal of reaching a 2% GDP investment in defense “possibly this year,” without jeopardizing fiscal responsibility or social services.
Santos reiterated the PCP’s strong critique of the government’s stance, arguing that increasing defense spending is not in keeping with the Constitution of the Republic’s directive that the state ensure national defense, but is instead aimed at “satisfying the interests of others.”
She elaborated, “I am, of course, referring to NATO, the European Union (EU), and the United States of America. This clearly shows the government’s choice for an arms race and war, when it is truly necessary for the government to focus on diplomatic efforts for specific solutions to existing conflicts.”
Regarding the rest of Luís Montenegro’s inauguration speech, Santos said she was “unsurprised” and felt it reflected “a clear choice to continue the policies” of the previous administration.
“That is, a political choice based on low wages, low pensions, a political choice based on an economic model exploiting workers, concentrating wealth among economic groups, rather than serving the interests of our country,” she stated.
Santos also expressed “great concern” about public services, emphasizing that the prime minister did not mention health, housing, or “social rights of the State” in his speech.
“We are well aware of the position of both the PSD and CDS on this matter, which is clearly aimed at a minimal state, privatization, turning rights into a business for economic groups,” she criticized.
