“ OE deserved a vote against. But our first duty is to serve the country”

O secretary-General of the PS said today that although the State Budget for 2027 deserves a vote against, the socialists believe that their duty is to serve the country, opposing the Government, but not Portugal.

“ I must say that for our deepest convictions, this budget deserved a vote against. But our first duty is to serve the country. We oppose the government, but we do not oppose our country.”, said José Luís Carneiro.

The leader of the Socialists, who spoke to journalists in Faro, where today he started a national roadmap to promote the debate on the State Budget (OE), denied giving the government a ‘white letter’ by abstaining from voting on the proposal.

“[...] We understand that adding a crisis to the difficult living conditions, to an economy that is dwindling, to people who cannot cope with their daily expenses, to have a political crisis and to live in twelfths would be much worse,” he said.

Claiming that the PS is a “party of great responsibility”, José Luís Carneiro said he believed that, in the current scenario, with a war in the Middle East and an asphyxiation of the international economy, voting against the OE2027 would “create a scenario of chaos in social life, economic life and political life”.

However, the head of the PS recognizes that he does not have “great expectations” in the Government of Luís Montenegro.

“ I didn't vote for him [in the government]. We don't have high hopes for him. Now, a political crisis at this time would lead the country to the unknown, to a precipice”, he stressed.

Asked by journalists about how he sees the limits on the right to demonstration, in the context of demonstrations in various cities of the country in defense of access to housing, Carneiro argues that authority must be compatible with freedom.

“ This is one of the hardest exercises to perform in our collective life. [...] And so we must respect the right of manifestation and we must try to ensure that the exercise of the State authority takes place without questioning fundamental rights, freedoms and guarantees, but it is very important that those who do and exercise their right of manifestation do so within the framework of democratic legality”, he said.

With regard to the new lease law, José Luís Carneiro welcomed the fact that Aquista admitted today to back down and vote against the proposal during the special debate, which will bring down the Executive diploma.

“I have verified today that there is someone who is trying to do an act of contrition. Sounds good. [...] I see now that you are also doing a ‘flik-flak’. But that's good. It is good for people, because it contributes to this unjust and inhuman law, because it is always better to correct a mistake than not even admit it ", concluded.