José Luís Carneiro addressed the head of the executive today for the first time from the PS during the general debate on the State Budget for 2026 (OE2026), reiterating that his party “will honor the word given to the Portuguese and the Government” and contribute to political stability in the country by choosing to abstain.
“And with this, we want to tell the Prime Minister that there are no excuses for not fulfilling the commitments made with all the Portuguese,” he emphasized.
Recalling that the four demands made to the Government were fulfilled and that OE2026 does not support changes to labor legislation, the health law, the public nature of social security, and fiscal policy, the PS leader issued a warning.
“At the appropriate political moment, we will politically combat this desire to change labor laws, social security, health protection, and fiscal policy,” he anticipated.
Carneiro insisted that “this is not the PS’s budget,” pointing to a “lack of ambition for the country” and an “original sin,” which is the fact that “it lacks credibility.”
“Now it was the Public Finance Council that confirmed the PS’s forecasts regarding the weakness of the public accounts presented to this Parliament,” he pointed out.
In response, Luís Montenegro commended the PS “for the decision made and communicated to enable the State Budget for 2026.”
“You have from us precisely the understanding and comprehension that you demonstrated here. We do not want to share the responsibility of governing the country with the Socialist Party. I said it with total clarity and I reaffirm it,” he emphasized.
The Prime Minister views the PS’s abstention “as a sign of respect for the commitment made to voters to ensure and safeguard political stability.”
“I cannot agree more with you when you say that this Budget is not the PS’s. It really is not the PS’s. It is very different from the PS’s Budgets. That is why this Budget does not increase any tax,” he stated.
