At the entrance for the presentation session of Hugo Martins’ re-election candidacy for the Odivelas City Council in the Lisbon district, José Luís Carneiro was questioned by journalists regarding the request announced today by the Chega leader for a meeting with the prime minister about the next State Budget and the call for an early submission of the document to parliament.
“What is most important is that, when presented, it is a good Budget, not that it is presented too quickly. In fact, haste is generally a bad advisor and, therefore, the Budget should be presented as scheduled, which is on October 10, as far as I know,” he countered.
When asked if he would like to meet with Luís Montenegro before the Government’s proposal submission, the PS leader said he is “always available to talk with the prime minister whenever he deems it convenient and appropriate.”
“Now, it is evident that presenting the State Budget proposal is the Government’s responsibility. Then, there is a general vote, followed by detailed work, and a final global vote. So, there is still plenty of time for that dialogue,” he admitted.
For Carneiro, “what matters is that the Government is aware” of the issues that particularly concern the PS.
“We have set three fundamental requirements regarding the State Budget,” he recalled.
The PS leader reiterated that the budget “cannot support or back policies that undermine labor relations,” it must not contribute “to weakening the National Health Service or opening doors to its privatization,” nor initiate “the privatization or goals of privatizing Social Security.”
“These are issues that concern all Portuguese people, and these are the demands made to the Government,” he emphasized.
José Luís Carneiro downplayed who “comes first or second” in meetings with the Government.
“That’s not the most important thing. What matters is the content of what’s proposed at each moment,” he emphasized.
Chega President André Ventura announced today he will request a meeting with the prime minister to outline the “key guidelines” of the next State Budget and advocated for earlier submission of the document in parliament.
“I decided today to propose to the prime minister the holding of a meeting where we can, on both sides, establish the fundamental guidelines that should guide the budgetary program for the next year,” he stated.
In statements to journalists at the Assembly of the Republic, the Chega leader expressed a desire to ensure that the approval of the State Budget for 2026 “proceeds without disturbances and without triggering a political crisis or a divergence crisis in the country.”
