PS with amendments to support fishermen, farmers and tourism in the Azores

O PS tabled amendments to the State Budget for 2027 (OE2027) to ensure support for farmers and fishermen in the Azores and promote tourism in the region, socialist deputy Francisco César announced today.

“ We are talking about 34 amendments for two purposes. Some directly on infrastructure and measures with an impact exclusively on the region and other measures are national, but have a particular impact on the region,” Francisco César said at a press conference at the party headquarters in Ponta Delgada.

The leader of the PS in the archipelago also highlighted the inclusion of an amendment proposal aimed at “promoting the destination Azores through the Tourism of Portugal” to “attract low cost companies, new routes”, and increase links to the region in conjunction with the Regional Government and ANA Aeroportos.

The deputy elected by the Azores argued that the Republic “should help the autonomous regions in case of need” and considered that the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) is “failing” in tourism promotion, at a time when sleeping is falling in the region for a year.

“The competence of tourism promotion in the region is not exclusive to the Regional Government. Tourism Portugal has the power to promote the whole country, including the autonomous regions”, he added.

Francisco César said that the PS also submitted proposals to ensure “compensation to the fisheries sector” due to the implementation of protected marine areas and to ensure extraordinary support to farmers, which was already foreseen in the State Budget for 2026.

“ It is EUR 23 million that the Government of the Republic owes to farmers. They promised. They could have paid. Now they say they can't afford it. It is normal, because we are not in electoral period ", ironic.

The leader highlighted the presentation of proposals to suspend the national minimum limits of the Oil Products Tax (ISP), deduct 50% of travel expenses for students displaced from Singular Income Tax (IRS) and carry out an audit on telecommunications offers and online purchases in the autonomous regions.

The vice president of the PS parliamentary group also highlighted initiatives to “reduce the overcrowding” of the São Miguel chain, review the public service obligations in maritime freight transport and strengthen the elements of the PSP in the region.

The Socialists have tabled amendments to ensure that a study is carried out on new psychoactive substances in the Azores and Madeira, to create “regular services” of mail cargo between the continent and the autonomous regions, and to ensure decontamination on the Third Island caused by the American presence at the Lajes Base.

Francisco César also proposed that a comparison be made between essential food prices in the Azores and Madeira with the national average and a “clarification of the Territorial Continuity Mechanism” in the case of “only return or return” air travel.

“The law [of the Territorial Continuity Mechanism] that is in force is not being fulfilled. It's not a problem with the current law. There is one detail here, it will be clarified. But the law in force is not being enforced,” he warned.

The Socialist deputy also said he was available to approve the proposals put forward by the MEPs of the PSD elected by the Azores and asked for “reciprocity” regarding the PS proposals.

The parties delivered more than 2,800 amendments to the OE2027.