The PCP secretary general said on Friday that the government had told him “clearly and directly” that the proposed state budget for 2025 would be based on the matrix of its program, promising a “fierce fight” against this policy.
“It was clear, with direct clarity and without half-words, that the government’s assumptions are very far from ours,” Paulo Raimundo told reporters at the prime minister’s official residence in São Bento after a meeting with the ministers of state budget and finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, presidential affairs, António Leitão Amaro, and parliamentary affairs, Pedro Duarte.
Paulo Raimundo said that for the PCP, the government’s proposals “are aimed at the rapid and decisive accumulation of greater wealth in economic groups.”
“This is the policy we are fighting against, and the program we are fighting against, and the state budget, which, according to the statement made, will be based on this matrix – and, being based on this matrix, it does not correspond to the needs of the country – (…) The PCP can only fight and fight hard, and we will be here to fight it,” he stressed.
Asked whether it would be necessary to wait until October to find out whether the PCP would vote against the budget, Paulo Raimundo replied: “In this respect, the government directly contributed to our decision.”
“The expectations were no longer high and the government told us directly that the assumptions were about the government programme, the restrictions of the European Union and the cost of the debt that arose from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, as if to say: ‘What we have done so far is to continue and emphasise. That’s all, from that point of view it has made our lives easier,'” he said.
Paulo Raimundo said he told the leader that, given their capabilities, the PCP would wage a “political and social struggle.”
“We are waiting for October 10, as required by law, for the government to provide us with the document for review. But without any expectations. After this meeting, without any expectations,” he said.
The government is meeting with parties holding seats in parliament today to discuss the 2025 state budget.
The prime minister was originally scheduled to attend these meetings. However, due to health reasons, Luis Montenegro cancelled his attendance at all political events until Sunday.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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