The Secretary-General of Portugal's Socialist Party (PS), José Luís Carneiro, announced on September 30, 2026, that he will propose to the party's organs that they abstain from voting on the 2027 State Budget (OE2027). This decision comes after Carneiro received assurances from Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. The PS had previously outlined several conditions for supporting the budget, including a commitment to revising the Constitution and protecting pensions.
According to Carneiro, Montenegro's responses to the PS's concerns were "very positive." The PS's potential abstention would ensure the budget's approval, as the party's votes would no longer be required for its passage. Carneiro expressed hope that Montenegro's commitments would be honored in the future. The PS's decision will need to be approved by the party's organs before it is finalized.
Carneiro specified that Montenegro addressed the PS's four main concerns: revising the Constitution, protecting current and future pensions, financing delayed investments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), and supporting municipalities and regions affected by storms. The PS had been waiting for Montenegro's "word" on constitutional revision, which was a crucial condition for their support.
On September 27, 2026, Montenegro stated that he would count on the PS for the next constitutional revision, emphasizing the importance of history while promising to respect the limits of the Fundamental Law. Before Montenegro's statement, Carneiro had expressed uncertainty about the budget, citing a lack of information about the document.
Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento welcomed the PS's likely abstention, describing it as "a very positive decision for the country." Sarmento noted that this decision would provide political stability while allowing for the consideration of various proposals within the limited budget.
The developments follow a series of meetings between the government and parliamentary parties to discuss the 2027 budget. The PS's potential abstention could have significant implications for Portugal's budget and politics, as it may enable the government to pass the budget with support from other parties.
The announcement was reported by RecordTV Cabo Verde and Lusa, with Carneiro's statements being made in an interview with the online newspaper Eco. The PS's decision will be closely watched by observers, as it may influence the course of Portugal's politics and economy in the coming year.
Key points
- The PS's abstention would ensure the 2027 budget's approval.
- Montenegro addressed the PS's concerns on constitutional revision and pension protection.
- The decision will need to be approved by the PS's organs before it is finalized.
