PS/Azores says cost of living has to be central in the Budget of 2027

O PS/Açores today considered that “the reduction in the cost of living must take a central place” in the options of the Plan and Budget of the region for 2027, and announced that it will present proposals for amendments.

“ The great concern of the Socialist Party is the concrete life of the people. We want a budget to help families cope with their burdens, to support those who work and who produce and to contribute to a stronger regional economy. That is what should be at the heart of this discussion”, said the Vice-President of the PS/Azores parliamentary group, Russell Sousa, quoted in a press release.

For the party, the Plan and Budget for 2027 proposed by the Regional Coalition Government PSD/CDS-PP/PPM, should “give more concrete answers to the difficulties experienced by families and Azorean companies, considering that the reduction in the cost of living must take a central place in the budgetary options”.

At the end of the hearings to members of the Regional Government, held in the last two days in the specialised committees of the Legislative Assembly, Russell Sousa acknowledged the presentation of investments in different areas, but considered that “concerns remain” as to the capacity of the measures envisaged to respond to the main economic and social challenges of the region.

“ We listened to the members of the [Regional] Government and analyzed the options presented for 2027, but it is not enough to announce investments or enter funds into the Budget. We need to ensure that public resources are well used, that commitments are fulfilled and, above all, that measures have concrete results in the lives of Azoreans,” he said.

For the PS/Azores, the budget discussion should pay particular attention to reducing fuel costs, strengthening support for families, difficulties in accessing housing and the costs incurred by displaced students, without losing sight of the need to boost the regional economy and support the productive sectors.

Russell Sousa announced that the Socialist parliamentary group will present a “set of proposals” to amend the Plan and Budget for 2027, with concrete measures aimed at addressing the difficulties of families and businesses, especially with regard to reducing the cost of living.

“We don’t want to stay just by identifying problems. We will make concrete and responsible proposals that can make a difference in the lives of families and businesses. Our priority is to help this budget give better answers to Azoreans,” he said.

The Vice-President of the Socialist parliamentary group also reaffirmed the readiness for the party to “maintain a constructive dialogue” with the Azorean executive during the discussion of the documents.

“ We are available to dialogue, to present proposals and to build solutions that serve the Azoreans, but this availability does not mean passing blank checks to the Regional Government. The dialogue must be serious, translate into concrete measures and aim to improve the responses to the problems of the region”, he said.

The pre-proposal for the Azores Plan for 2027 provides for an overall investment of EUR 1,057 million, EUR 650 million of the Regional Government’s “direct responsibility”.

The discussion and vote on the Plan and Budget of the Azores for 2027 will take place this month at the Regional Legislative Assembly, in the city of Horta, on Faial Island.