During a campaign event for the upcoming municipal elections on Sunday, Rui Tavares refrained from revealing the direction of Livre’s vote in the general discussion of the State Budget for 2026, although he highlighted that “it is very difficult” for his party to support the minority PSD/CDS-PP government’s proposal, which will be presented today.
Tavares noted that there are “other parties that can make a difference and have the necessary votes for the budget to pass,” referring to the PS and Chega.
Regarding the party led by André Ventura, Livre expects “the usual antics,” directing an appeal to the socialists.
“What I appeal to those parties, especially the Socialist Party, because it is with whom we have dialogue, is not to jeopardize the specialty period from the start and that any possible abstention they decide on in the general budget should not prevent us from discussing measures that are good for the Portuguese in Parliament,” he urged.
The Livre spokesperson was referring to the specialty stage, where deputies debate budget proposals in greater detail after an initial general discussion vote set for October 28.
“Let’s not see what we’ve witnessed in the past, which is after securing that abstention, voting against all the measures other parties present and ultimately nullifying the specialty stage,” he warned.
Asked about Livre’s voting direction in the general discussion, Tavares did not disclose it yet, emphasizing that his party and the government live “in opposite worlds,” accusing the executive of preferring to benefit “the richest” or “those who are already similar to the people sitting in power chairs.”
The State Budget proposal for 2026 (OE2026) will be delivered and presented this afternoon, a day ahead of the legally defined deadline.
