Portugal’s Socialist Party leader José Luís Carneiro has said he is willing to adjust his party’s rent proposal and seek an agreement with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, provided the government acts in Good Faith. He remains opposed to the government’s bill and wants it withdrawn before negotiations move forward.
Speaking to SIC Notícias on Tuesday, Carneiro said the PS was prepared to revise its proposal and find common ground with the prime minister. He argued, however, that Montenegro’s plan would worsen housing difficulties for young people, families and older residents.
The comments followed Montenegro’s address to the country and his invitation to the PS and Chega to discuss housing. Carneiro is due to meet the prime minister on Thursday, after the two spoke by video call on Tuesday morning.
The PS plans to propose a new rental law that would establish a public guarantee to give landlords greater security and tenants more peace of mind. The party’s proposal envisages a mechanism managed by the IHRU to cover unpaid rent and damage to rental properties. Carneiro has previously said the proposal could be refined during parliamentary discussions.
The Socialists also propose a moratorium for rental contracts ending by the close of the year and a revision of the government’s €2,300 ceiling for what it defines as moderate rent. Carneiro said he would present an alternative but did not specify the amount. Other PS measures include tax incentives to encourage housing supply, such as waiving capital-gains tax on properties sold for residential use and removing charges for early repayment of housing loans.
The parties agree that too few homes are available on the market but differ over how to address the problem. The government is focused on strengthening landlords’ protections and simplifying the rules available to them, while the PS wants the state to take responsibility for risks linked to rental agreements.
In the interview, Carneiro also criticised Chega leader André Ventura, who had said the PS was taking part in talks at his request. Carneiro said Ventura’s claims were often contradicted by events and accused him of having “problems of conscience” over supporting the government’s moderate-rent ceiling and rental bill.
Carneiro said Portugal should not face a political crisis at this time, warning that the country could not function with the state operating on temporary monthly budgets and unable to respond properly to people’s difficulties. He also said some government members were not meeting their responsibilities and called on Montenegro to take charge politically.
Sources: Observador.