Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said on Friday that “the government is committed to engaging in serious and loyal dialogue with the opposition parties” on the viability of the 2025 State Budget. The head of the executive also called for a “sense of responsibility” towards the parties and stated that “the Portuguese do not want tantrums.”

In Espinho, after voting in the direct elections of the PSD (in which he is the only candidate), Luís Montenegro took the opportunity to respond to the PS, which is asking the Government for more data and which refuses to negotiate the State Budget if there is no more data. “We are available to provide information that can be shared with the opposition parties so that they can reflect and present their proposals,” he stressed.

“We have responded to what they have asked of us”The Prime Minister continued, adding: “It is natural that there may be opportunities for the exchange of information and opinions.” In this context, Luís Montenegro recalled the meetings on Tuesday in the Assembly of the Republic with the parties that “accept the challenge of a second meeting.”

The PS accuses the Government of “lack of good faith” and will not negotiate without further data

Asked again about complaints about lack of information, Luís Montenegro said: “The truth is that looking for excuses to distract people with, well, details… Honestly, the Portuguese don’t want tantrums.” “Surely This Government will present more elements than other governments have presented to the opposition.”

“Portugal needs to have a State Budget for 2025,” stressed Luís Montenegro, recalling the “calendar” of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR): “We need to keep working.” “There are so many challenges that the Portuguese want to overcome that, honestly, what I can say on behalf of the PSD is that I hope that all political parties can have sense of responsibility”.

Luis Montenegro also played down his presence at Tuesday’s meeting: “I have had the opportunity to speak with political leaders. I have always gone to the Assembly of the Republic whenever they call me.”

The Prime Minister also explained that the budget debate will take place on its “proper schedule”: “We are currently sharing information, building the proposals and we will present the Budget on October 10. From then on, the parties will start the parliamentary work, the parliamentary hearing and there will be a general debate, which will take place at the end of October. The specialist debate will follow at the end of November.”

PGR? “It will be an arranged relationship” with Marcelo, says Montenegro

Luis Montenegro was also asked about the election of the new Attorney General of the Republic and says that he has been in contact with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on the subject. “We talked about all the issues that interest the country and that involve dialogue between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister. As you know, the Government has the capacity to propose, but the President of the Republic is the one who has the capacity to appoint.”

“It will be an agreed relationship,” assured Luís Montenegro, who also stressed that he has had an “impeccable institutional and personal relationship” with the President of the Republic.