On Tuesday, parliament discussed the draft state budget as a whole for the second day in a row. The vote will take place on Tuesday, the approval of which is guaranteed by an absolute majority of votes of the PS.
by minute
Updated October 31, 2023 | 12:38
SDP and the “doubts, criticism, indecision and successive delays” of what followed after the closure of the SEF
As for the PSD, Andreia Neto thanks all SEF members and says that there are still “doubts, criticism, indecisiveness and successive delays” regarding what will happen next.
The MP warns of the importance of ensuring that security is not compromised.
Medina talks about the housing crisis and says there are 17,000 homes under contract, but only 2,900 completed.
As for companies, Fernando Medina says that effective taxation in Portugal is lower than in countries such as France.
“2022 was a record year for company investments in our country. 32 billion euros. The stock of foreign investment increased between 2015 and 2023 by €48 billion. We have a very significant potential for attracting and generating investment in the country, and this is only possible because we have the resources to develop companies,” the minister said.
When it comes to housing, the finance minister says there are currently “profound structural changes in our market.”
Medina said 17,000 homes are already under contract, although only 2,900 have been built.
“A few days before November, we approved a program that will allow us to reduce and stabilize payments in Portugal. “There is no more effective response to Portuguese families than this.”
As for young people, the minister ensures that they will benefit “significantly” from housing schemes, as well as from higher salaries for technicians joining government agencies or free kindergartens.
Regarding the IUC, Fernando Medina accuses the rights of “lying” and “scaring” families with a potential increase in numbers “1025%” tax. “Not only is this not in the cards, it will take 29 years.”
Finance Minister guarantees that Portuguese people will pay less taxes in 2024 than in 2023
Responding to questions and reactions from the parties, Fernando Medina says that in 2024 the Portuguese will pay less taxes than in 2023, and ensures that the population can count on pensions above inflation. The Treasury Secretary also notes the historic increase in the minimum wage.
“In times of economic growth, it is good policy to have a positive or balanced balance sheet,” the minister said.
Livre says “PS cannot solve strategy alone”
Rui Tavares says that “the PS cannot decide alone on strategy and think that it has all the good decisions, because it will not always have an absolute majority.”
Deputy Livre warns of the consequences that could arise “if housing prices rise.”
Ines Souza Real warns of ‘price rise’ due to zero VAT
Regarding PAN, PAN’s Ines Souza Real criticizes IRS levels and calls for lower taxes on pet expenses.
Regarding VAT Zero MP says there is a danger of “price escalation.”
Chega believes the cuts “will not offset the IRS growth over the past two years.”
“In 2024, government spending will increase by 9.6%, and to finance this impressive increase in government spending, tax revenues will increase by 5%,” said Rui Afonso, Chegi’s deputy.
As for the IRS, the politician believes that the proposed cuts “will not compensate for the growth of the IRS over the past two years.” Rui Afonso guarantees that next year the population will pay more taxes.
PCP says IUC increase is ‘unfair’
“Where did you get the idea that if you have a surplus, it should be stored in a piggy bank for emergencies? This is necessary now,” begins Duarte Alves, PCP deputy.
The politician criticizes the government for “ignoring” the urgency and taxing the profits of the banking sector and sectors such as food retail.
Duarte Alves accuses the government of increasing the IUC as “unfair” because it will not solve environmental problems.
“For years they were against everything that meant increasing income”: Miguel Cabrita on the PSD government
Miguel Cabrita, a PS deputy, recalls PSD governments that forced the Portuguese to “live beyond their means.”
“The SDP is forgetting everything it said in the past. A few months ago they said that the PS was going to cut pensions, that zero VAT would not work and the income agreement would be a dead letter, this is a lie,” said the socialist deputy.
Miguel Cabrita says the PSD wants to talk about everything except the IRS. “For years they have been against everything to do with increasing income,” he said, accusing the Social Democrats of being “always on the wrong side of history.”
“This is a strange crisis”: Mariana Mortagua blames the government for the fact that the Portuguese cannot pay rent
As for the Bloc de Esquerda, Mariana Mortagua calls it a “strange crisis”, blaming the government for the fact that the Portuguese cannot pay rent for their houses from the salaries they earn.
“Are you really going to pretend that you don’t see the bank’s profits, that it’s nothing to you?” the deputy asked Blok.
SDP believes that the state budget is “boring”
SDP considers the state budget “boring.” Duarte Pacheco emphasizes the increase in the tax burden and the government’s attempt to compensate for tax cuts by increasing other taxes.
“After the Centeno invader, we have Inspector Medina, the one who is looking for money from everywhere,” said Duarte Pacheco, adding that the government has not created the necessary conditions to improve private investment.
“The right doesn’t know how to reduce the debt, and the left always disagrees with this possibility”: Medina on the opposition
Finance Minister Fernando Medina criticized the opposition’s arguments about the budget strategy, saying those who criticize cutting the public debt do so because they are failing where the government is succeeding.
Fernando Medina spoke at the opening of the second day of the general debate on the draft state budget for 2024 (OE2024), which will end this Tuesday with a vote on the document.
“Those who criticize debt reduction do so because they are failing where the government is succeeding,” he said.
“More income, more investment, more future”: Medina on the state budget for 2024
Finance Minister Fernando Medina on Tuesday accused the right of not discussing what really matters in the government budget and said the document leads to more revenue, more investment and a better future.
Fernando Medina spoke at the opening of the second day of the general debate on the draft state budget for 2024 (OE2024), which ends today with a vote on the document.
“More income, more investment and a better future. This is the choice of OE2024,” he said.
In his speech, in which the word “right” appeared several times, the responsible minister left messages for the opposition.
“It’s easy to see that the right doesn’t want to discuss what’s really important in this budget. What really matters is paying less tax to the IRS, raising the minimum wage, raising pensions above inflation, raising government employee salaries,” he said.
Fernando Medina argued that the budget proposal included “increasing income for families,” deeming it “necessary to increase purchasing power” since the fall in external demand must be compensated by strengthening domestic demand.
He reiterated that OE2024 means “more investment because the country’s future demands it” because “investment today strengthens the economy and employment against the winds from abroad” and that it improves the future because today’s actions should not leave them behind responsibility to young people.
The minister also said that “contrary to opposition claims, measures to increase revenue outweigh increases in indirect taxes,” given that the budget proposal “actually reduces the taxes that the Portuguese will pay.”
Regarding the tax burden, which he said “critics are quick to mention,” he urged not to confuse increased revenues with increased taxes.
“As for social contributions, all income growth is the result of increased employment and higher wages. In terms of taxes, revenue growth is mainly explained by the pace and structure of economic activity.”
Medina emphasized that “increasing employment, wages and exports” “makes the economy grow,” which he said is “a strategy that works and that the right has not yet understood many years later.”
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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