Portugal’s ruling PSD has criticised Socialist Party figures for taking part in housing demonstrations held outside the Assembly of the Republic during the debate on next year’s state budget.
PSD parliamentary leader Hugo Soares singled out Eurico Brilhante Dias, Pedro Nuno Santos and Marina Gonçalves. He sarcastically suggested that they had attended the protest to apologise for housing policies, particularly the high rents that he attributed to legislation supported by the Socialist Party.
Soares then offered his own explanation for their presence, saying that “saudade” had returned for the ‘geringonça’—the former governing arrangement involving the PS and left-wing parties. He also argued that the Socialist Party and José Luís Carneiro had placed themselves beneath that alliance rather than merely supporting it.
The remarks came during the parliamentary debate on the state budget, which has since moved to the detailed consideration stage. The exchange added to tensions between the PSD and PS, despite the Socialists’ role in enabling the budget to proceed.
PS secretary-general José Luís Carneiro accused figures close to the prime minister of making incomprehensible political attacks. He said the government should define how it intends to relate to the Socialists and should not mistreat a party showing what he described as responsibility toward the country.
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel later dismissed Carneiro’s complaints, arguing that political attacks are a normal part of parliamentary debates. Separately, Socialist MEP Francisco Assis warned that more radical voices within the PS could begin pressuring Carneiro if the PSD continued its confrontational tone.
The PSD is also concerned about possible negative alliances between the PS and Chega during the detailed budget discussions. Chega leader André Ventura said the party would support a Socialist proposal aimed at preventing the government from increasing tax revenue through inflation if it considered the measure beneficial for Portugal.
The final vote on the state budget is scheduled for 24 November. Meanwhile, parliamentary hearings on the proposal are continuing, with ministers and several public institutions due to give evidence before parties begin presenting amendments.
Sources: Observador.