Lisbon, Sept. 29, 2026 (Lusa) - The Communist Party's parliamentary leader said on Tuesday that the 2027 State Budget could better address the rising cost of living, which «is making life hell for the Portuguese people», and «could help reduce fiscal injustices», benefiting economic groups.
Paula Santos spoke to journalists in parliament after a meeting with finance minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento and Portugal's minister of parliamentary affairs, Carlos Abreu Amorim, on the main points of the government's proposed State Budget for 2027.
«The truth is that the country's situation, and the reality of everyday life for workers, pensioners and the public, is becoming increasingly challenging, and this Budget not only neglects to address this series of problems but also perpetuates and exacerbates fiscal injustices, indeed to the benefit of economic groups,» said the leader of the Communist Party's parliamentary group.
Paula Santos stated that the PCP will put forward «concrete proposals and solutions to address this series of pressing issues affecting people's lives», focusing on wages, pensions, public services, housing and investment in productive sectors that will free the country from the «impositions and constraints of the European Union» and the «interests of economic groups».
The Communist MP added that the rising cost of living «is making life hell for the Portuguese people» and that the government, with the support of Chega, IL and the PS, has opted for the «deterioration of living conditions».
«The government's outlook is very different from that put forward by the PCP, which is what is needed,» she added, saying the opposition of the PSD and CDS-PP to Communist initiatives «reveals that they have absolutely no desire to solve the problems».
«In fact, what they intend to do is continue the policy responsible for the problems the Portuguese people are currently facing,» she added.
Paula Santos also highlighted the need for improvements in the government's proposal to amend the New Urban Tenancy Regime (NRAU), which Parliament will debate tomorrow, citing the measure as an example of the government's intention to promote more stable and secure living conditions for tenants.
The party will put forward initiatives to protect those with mortgages, channel bank profits to offset rising interest rates and say «there will be greater stability and rights for tenants».
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