Lisbon, Oct. 1, 2026 (Lusa) - The Left Bloc (BE) national coordinator accused the Socialist Party (PS) on Thursday of giving the government a «blank cheque» by abstaining on the State Budget, saying he will «take up the fight» against the Socialists, who «remain committed to being an alternative».

«José Luís Carneiro's decision is a blank cheque and a favour to the government. Montenegro is smiling at this favour: Chega provides the rhetoric and the PS provides the votes,» criticised José Manuel Pureza in a social media post.

On Wednesday, PS general secretary José Luís Carneiro said he would propose that the party's governing bodies abstain from the vote on the 2027 State Budget, following assurances from prime minister Luís Montenegro.

Should the party's governing bodies approve this abstention by the PS, the budget's passage will be assured, regardless of the votes cast by the other parliamentary groups.

José Manuel Pureza stated that «there will be many Socialists who will continue to strive to be an alternative to the right and who are eager to address the cost-of-living situation and the state of public services».

«It is also alongside them that we will fight against the budget,» he added.

Parliament is due to hold a general debate on the government's proposed State Budget for 2027 on 27 and 28 October, with the final overall vote scheduled for 24 November.

By law, the government must formally table its draft State Budget in parliament by 10 October. However, as 10 October falls on a Saturday this year, the deadline extends to 12 October, the following Monday.

ARL/ADB // ADB.

Lusa