Brillante Diaz says PS is not afraid of elections and praises Costa’s leadership

The leader of the Socialist parliament said this Wednesday that the PS is not afraid of the elections, expressed confidence in victory, accused the political right of not representing an alternative and praised the results achieved by the leadership of the government of António Costa.

These positions were defended by Eurico Brillante Diaz in the closing speech of the debate on the 2024 state budget, before this government diploma was subject to a final global vote.

“This budget debate has led us to the conclusion that we have no alternative. Between the radicals who now present themselves as moderates and the moderates who present themselves as radicals, let the devil make his choice,” he criticized, before specifically addressing the content of a speech previously given by the leader of the Social Democratic Party, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento: “The Portuguese prefer the original to the copy, this interference seems to have come from another bench,” he observed, hinting at Chega.

In his speech, Eurico Brillante Díaz praised the Prime Minister and raised the PS bench when he spoke of “gratitude.”

“In unique and unrepeatable times, the country had strong and credible leadership in protecting the health and lives of the Portuguese and at the same time protecting thousands of jobs,” he said, addressing António Costa, who resigned as Prime Minister on the 7th numbers.

According to the president of the PS parliamentary group, “in the most difficult circumstances the quality of leadership is better perceived.”

“Portugal was lucky to have António Costa at its helm during the most difficult moments of the pandemic, the most devastating event in our lives and, one might even say, of the last century. This reference is necessary and valid today. In politics, as in life. There are values ​​that are never excessive, much less essential: one of them is gratitude,” he emphasized.

Regarding the situation in which the PS will enter the next legislative elections, Eurico Brillante Díaz disputed the thesis that the absolute majority supporting the current government has collapsed.

“Don’t let anyone be deceived. The PS believes in democracy, the PS is not afraid of elections, the PS believes in the opinions of Portuguese men and women,” he said.

According to Eurico Brillante Dias, on March 10, voters will face a choice.

“Or they choose a political and social regression in which the far right becomes the driving force and influence of a government that degrades and even dismantles the welfare state, the National Health Service, public schools, the pension system, the social welfare scheme. for the most vulnerable, freezing careers, salaries and pensions, etc., without any social sensitivity as has been demonstrated in the past. Or they decide to continue on the path that we started in 2015, the fundamental one of which is the 2024 budget. A tool for us to continue to raise wages and pensions, strengthen the welfare state, the social network, public schools, create jobs and support companies, reduce labor taxes, and always, but always, so that no one is left behind,” he countered.

In his speech, the President of the PS Parliamentary Group summed up the results of the three leaders led by António Costa over eight years:

“We have attracted more investment, exports account for more than 50% of GDP (gross domestic product), public debt will be below 100% in 2024, and we have strengthened incomes and labor rights. There are no miracles, there are really well-thought-out government policies that work,” he said.

Eurico Brillante Díaz, criticizing right-wing parties, especially the Liberal Initiative, argued that “the idea of ​​a magical solution to all problems with an invisible hand does not take into account that the social market economy provides a broader and fairer answer.” to the problems of society as a whole.”

“It is this policy that allows us to sustainably reduce taxes and at the same time invest in the social state and increase revenues. We have proven that democratic socialism really works, it works for everyone, not just some,” he said.

In his speech, Eurico Brillante Díaz also noted that right-wing opposition parties “like to emphasize that over the past 29 years, the PS has been the government in 22 of them.”

“It was a popular choice and now that we have returned voting rights to citizens, we are confident that the progressive PS program will meet the wants and needs of Portuguese families. We will do our best to ensure that poetry is heard. streets in March. We will wait for April in March because April is really meant for us to have hope for a better future,” he said.

With the PS, according to Brillante Dias, “the country will not surrender and will not capitulate to extremist populism, which has taken the democratic right hostage.”

“They have not passed for two years, and we continue to say: they will not pass with us,” he added.