‘Expand public park for middle class’: Pedro Nuno Santos proposes ‘serious answer’ to housing problem

This Sunday, the Socialist Party (PS) presents its electoral program for the legislative elections that will take place on March 10th.

In his speech, Pedro Nuno Santos called economic development the “biggest priority” of the PS. “We want Portugal to grow much more than it is now,” said the Secretary General. To achieve this, the economy “must diversify”, favoring “those who reinvest profits” and exporting “with added value”. In contrast, “the right has no vision for the economy,” he emphasizes.

In the health sector, Pedro Nuno Santos again criticized the right, namely the Democratic Alliance (AD), for putting the SNS “at risk” with a program for the sector. “AD wants to hide his intentions, but in healthcare he can’t,” he said. The socialist accused the coalition of wanting to divert resources to the private sector. “The idea of ​​the collapse of the SNA is intended to justify what they want to do,” he argued.

Regarding the housing problem, Pedro Nuno Santos proposes a “serious answer” by expanding a “public park for the middle class.” PS “started with tax breaks” as the “right-wing approach to the problem” but moved on to a “big public investment plan” in housing. “I hear AD talking about houses. In their time there were zero. The difficulty with this plan is that it takes time,” he explained.

Other interventions

Alexandra Leitan, PS Action Plan Coordinator, highlighted the need to promote economic development and improve the resilience of the National Health Service (SNS). “A reformed SNA, not a decapitalized or privatized one,” he emphasized.

Socialist António Arnaut sees the programs of other parties as a threat to the current public health system model. “Ours is constitutionally enshrined,” he noted.

Finance Minister Fernando Medina highlighted the success of the “income restoration” policy and the “consistent increase” of pensions and social support. “We did not promise what we could not do, but we delivered what we promised,” he said.

The government official highlighted the current “labor market balance” embodied in increased wages above the minimum wage and greater ability to attract foreign direct investment. “The reality of the numbers does not correspond to reality. (…) The employment results are a victory,” he emphasized.

Regarding the electoral program, Fernando Medina welcomed the “predictability” guaranteed to the Portuguese by the socialist proposals.

In the update