Pedro Nuno and the Government’s alleged agreement with Chega: “We don’t know who lies, but to say ‘no’ a meeting was enough”
The secretary general of the PS, Pedro Nuno Santos, today considered that the right in Portugal “is not trustworthy”, classifying it as “a shame” that the leaders of the PSD and Chega accuse each other of lying.
Speaking in Vila Nova de Famalicão, at the Braga PS federative congress, Pedro Nuno argued that it is necessary to clarify who is lying.
“What we have seen in recent days is worrying, what is more, it is a shame for our democracy, with two party leaders accusing each other of lying in public”, he highlighted.
At issue are the recent statements by the leader of the far-right party, André Ventura, about possible negotiations with the Government, with five meetings, for an agreement on the State Budget for 2025, which would include a possible entry of Chega into the Government.
The negotiations were denied by the prime minister, who accused André Ventura of lying, an accusation that would be reciprocated again by the president of Chega.
“We don’t know who’s lying, we’re not going to settle this dispute. But to say ‘André, we didn’t trust you and, therefore, we’re not going to negotiate with you’, one meeting was enough,” said Pedro Nuno.
For the socialist leader, this is an issue that needs to be clarified, so that the Portuguese can be sure that “the Prime Minister’s word is to be taken seriously”.
In his speech, Pedro Nuno said that the State Budget for 2025 presented by the government “is not, nor will it ever be” the PS Budget, “not only because of what it has, but above all because of what it doesn’t have”, pointing out, specifically, the “lack of ambition” regarding the economy.
“It will not make Portugal grow, the Government does not believe in the growth capacity of the Portuguese economy and companies”, he said, stressing that the Budget “is bad” and repeating calls for no socialist to “make a mistake or play into the hands of the PSD “.
“Regardless of what we do [na votação do Orçamento]the distance between us and the Government is great”, he stated.
For Pedro Nuno, the Government “is not trustworthy” and “has no solution to the problems of the Portuguese”, whether in health, education, housing or taxation.
“It’s a Government that sells illusions. The Budget will always be fought by the PS”, he also said.
In relation to the 2025 Municipal Elections, Pedro Nuno Santos argued that the party must learn from past mistakes and combat opportunism and internal divisions, not encouraging discord in councils and sections.
The objective, he highlighted, is that in a year’s time the party will be celebrating having become “the first municipal political force in Portugal”.
