The Secretary General of the PS announced this Monday that if he loses the elections, he will not make or support proposals to reject the program of the PSD-led government without making the same commitments for a possible first budget.
President of the SDP and leader of the Democratic Alliance, Luis Montenegro did not specify whether he would agree to make the minority government viable in the event of defeat.what prompted Pedro Nuno Santos to accuse him of “observe taboos”.
These positions were broadcast in the only face-to-face meeting between them before the expected legislative elections on March 10, broadcast simultaneously by RTP, SIC and TVI and held at the Capitol cinema in Lisbon.
“PS, if he doesn’t win, will not file a motion to dismiss and this will not make any motion to dismiss possible if AD wins,” said Pedro Nuno Santos.
When asked whether he would be able to help draw up the first state budget of the minority government led by the PSD, the Socialist leader replied that this guarantee would be “worst service” what he can secure by committing himself to an unknown document, and that he must have options opposite to those defended by the PS.
“Someone will open champagne at home,” he warned, given that the SDP leader could not give such a guarantee regarding the socialist budget.
Luis Montenegro only reiterated that he would fight for a stable majority, considering the possibility of a majority with IL “very achievable”, and that if he did not achieve this, he would govern with a relative majority.
On the budget, he said he would do what is “healthy and normal” in a democracy by discussing it “with all parties with parliamentary representation,” in particular the largest opposition party, the PS.
Faced with the accusation that Pedro Nuno Santos was “observing taboos”, without answering the question of whether a minority leader led by the PS would be viable, he responded: “There are no taboos, I am aimed at winning the elections”.
“The SDP wants to demand from the PS what the PS cannot guarantee,” criticized the Socialists’ general secretary.
At this stage of the debate, Montenegro announced that if he became Prime Minister, he would add to the weekly Council of Ministers “three thematic councils of ministers” that would meet monthly in the areas he considered most transversal for the economy. challenges, climate transition and digital transition.
Pensions are being discussed
Montenegro suggested that AD is in “reconciliation” with pensioners, but said it was not “accepting blame.” The Social Democrat said that this Socialist Party with José Socrates cutting pensions.
“Pensioners were laid off and then replaced. You are complicit in this decision, you were in the government“, said Montenegro.
“I guarantee that every year there will be an update in accordance with the legal criteria. I will not do what PS did with Pedro Nuno Santos.”
Pedro Nuno defended himself and said that “not a single pensioner suffered from a pension reduction. There is not a single pensioner who will believe his words. Six extraordinary promotions occurred“.
The Socialist leader said that Montenegro has given “somersault“About the topic.
Pedro Nuno says the housing problem is a European one
Pedro Nuno Santos clarified that European housing issue. “Over the years we have taken measures, some of them have had results, others have not,” he said, before reminding that housing measures take time to take effect.
“Our whole country works. Measures are being taken to increase private construction,” added Pedro Nuno, noting that thanks to PS, many houses have been built in PSD municipalities.
Montenegro recalled that Pedro Nuno Santos promised that by the 50th anniversary of April 25, not a single Portuguese would be without a home, which, according to the AD leader, is far from possible.
“It’s not like he even cared about the house.”fired Montenegro after a minor quarrel between political leaders.
“There are no landlords without tenants,” said Pedro Nuno, saying he did not want the state to play the role of tenants, but that rents needed to be regulated.
“Intervening in the market in this way is the wrong way,” Montenegro responded.
Leaders discuss economic scenario
PS and PSD leaders disagreed over the impact on public reporting of tax cuts proposed by the AD, with Pedro Nuno Santos speaking out “the accumulated loss amounted to 16.5 billion euros”.
Luis Montenegro countered that the cost of the tax cuts proposed by the AD would be five billion euros, as defined in the macroeconomic scenario, and questioned the education of Pedro Nuno Santos as an economist, who in turn accused of being unprepared for the post of prime minister.
“What the PSD offers a financial adventure What deserves discussion is the accumulated hole in the accounts of 16.5 billion euros in taxes alone,” accused Pedro Nuno Santos.
“This is not true: there are 3.5 billion euros in the IRS, 1.5 billion in the IRC and another 500 million euros for exemption from performance bonuses,” Montenegro countered.
The Socialist leader reckoned that this €5 billion figure would be “at cruising speed”, insisting that “the accumulated loss over four years would be €16.5 billion”.
“I had to count, the candidate for prime minister needs to count”criticized Pedro Nuno Santos, adding that he would later provide reports to his political opponent.
“You’re an economist, aren’t you? The effect of the fall of the IRS is attributed to the year in which it occurred,” responded Montenegro, with the PS leader claiming that it is “repetitive” and the PSD president denying such an effect, believing that Pedro Nuno Santos would have made a “big mistake” here.
Pedro Nuno says he defended replacing regular teachers, Montenegro accuses him of only doing so after leaving government
Montenegro stated that AD’s goal is “give peace” to the school and argued that to retain teachers it is necessary make your career attractive. The AD leader wants to “significantly stimulate vocational education.”
“In Portugal, 25% of students attend private schools,” Montenegro said, accusing the PS of “devaluing” public schools.
Pedro Nuno said he would not reinstate exams that were canceled under Antonio Costa’s government, before once again accusing his opponent of being “lack of preparation.”
ABOUT The Socialist leader recalled that between 2011 and 2015, 20 thousand teachers left schools, but Montenegro objected that “there was no shortage of teachers in schools.”.
Pedro Nuno recalled that he defended “restoring the careers of regular teachers”, but The AD leader said that he did this only after leaving the government. “For a doer…” said Montenegro.
Leaders discuss health
Pedro Nuno explained that improving quality of life has implications for the National Health Service. “We are paying the price for the lack of management. There are more problems”he claimed.
“Measures must be taken now. We are in favor of strengthening home hospitalization teams, for doctors to prescribe medications, much remains to be done,” he said.
When asked about the plan that AD will implement in the field of healthcare, Montenegro did not immediately answer the question: Pedro Nuno, who said the lack of response is “usual”. “Don’t say that,” replied the Social Democrat.
Montenegro said the AD wants to guarantee consultations on acute illnesses “within five days”; guarantee obstetric consultations; reduce waiting time; provide the user with a voucher for personal use.
Faced with the escape of medical workers, P.Edro Nuno said conditions in the National Health System need to be improved and more doctors trained. “The SDP wants to decapitalize the SNA. We want to invest in our hospitals, in our health centers.”
“ABOUT The PS did not want to continue the PPP due to ideological complexes and management partners,” Montenegro said.
Pedro Nuno clarified that the PS has no “dogmas” in working with individuals and that the socialists want more in the SNA. “Clearly there is a path that can lead to withering. [do SNS]“.
“The SNA has never been like this,” Montenegro said.
Montenegro accuses Pedro Nuno of ruining airport decision
When asked if there was any possibility of reaching a consensus between the two parties regarding the location of the future airport, Luis Montenegro replied that it was he and the PSD that “saved the PS and Pedro Nuno Santos from the mess they got themselves into”citing an order from the then Minister of Infrastructure, later withdrawn.
“He had no respect for the work of the government, he acted contrary to the prime minister, I don’t know if this is the spirit in which he proposes to lead the government,” he criticized.
Pedro Nuno Santos accused the PSD leader of not answering questions and “not wanting to make decisions, but postponing,” saying Luis Montenegro “does not know what it means to govern” because he has never exercised executive functions.
“We want to try to reach a consensus with the SDP.And with all other parties, but, of course, if he is not there, we will not wait, we will move forward,” he said.
In the heated phase of the debate, with constant interruptions, Montenegro insisted that Pedro Nuno Santos “made a bad decision against the wishes of the prime minister and his colleagues in government.”To which the PS leader replied that “nothing like that happened” and that the SDP leader “cannot solve anything.”
On June 29, the Ministry of Infrastructure published an order stating that the government had decided to continue working on a new solution for Lisbon airport, which would move towards the commissioning of Montijo at the end of 2026 and Alcochete when it is operational. , near Humberto Delgado Airport.
However, the day after publication, the order was canceled by order of Prime Minister António Costa.
Police protest at the door
The leaders of the PS and PSD confirmed that they are ready to dialogue and reach an agreement on the demands of the security forces after the elections, but Pedro Nuno Santos warned that “negotiations cannot be negotiated under duress.”
Hundreds of police were concentrated at the Capitol in Lisbon, where the televised meeting between Pedro Nuno Santos and Luis Montenegro took place, in a spontaneous, unsanctioned protest.
Dressed in black shirts and holding Portuguese flags, members of the PSP and PNP whistled, cheered and shouted: “The united police force will never be defeated,” “Shame,” “Respect,” and “Portugal,” and sang the national anthem.
Author: morning Post This Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.