Nuno Melo defends VAT reduction on essential goods at zero rate

CDS-PP leader Nuno Melo on Tuesday defended a temporary zero-rate VAT cut on basic foodstuffs due to inflation, recalling that he had been proposing the measure since April.

“CDS was the first party in Portugal to propose a zero VAT reduction on basic food items due to inflation. CDS did this with the understanding that this is already happening in some European Union countries,” the spokesperson said. centrist visiting the renovated Mercado do Bolhão market in Porto.

After visiting many market stalls, where he heard merchants complain about a decrease in the purchasing power of buyers, Nuno Melo said that despite the global consequences of the war, there is a freedom of choice that belongs to states and can make a difference to help families.

“Don’t mention prices so you don’t remind people of them,” a meat seller told the centrist, noting that people are buying units rather than kilograms to save money.

The MEP emphasized that political parties are there to help solve people’s problems and that this proposal to lower the VAT “a lot” will help families with persistently lower disposable income to endure many hardships.

Looking at neighboring Spain, Nuno Melo said that the Spanish government had “already made a decision” and the Portuguese had not yet made a decision on the matter.

Recall that on December 27, the Spanish government approved the abolition of VAT on basic foodstuffs and assistance to families, farmers and the gas industry as ways to overcome the energy crisis and inflation caused by the war in Ukraine.

In addition, the President of CDS-PP recalled that the Portuguese, who today live on the border, have basic food cheaper in Spain than in Portugal.

Previously, they were going to supply cars because of the price of fuel, and now they will supply what is a regular basket of essentials, he stressed.

“If there are other parties that wanted to accept this proposal in the Assembly of the Republic itself, then there is the paternity of the idea, but there is a decision that has not yet been made,” he concluded.