Written by Catalina DeMony
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s main opposition leader vowed on Saturday to cut young people’s income taxes and gradually increase the national pension if he wins a snap election held earlier this month following the prime minister’s resignation. Ta.
Portugal’s Socialist Party Prime Minister António Costa resigned on November 7, citing an investigation into alleged irregularities in the government’s handling of lithium, hydrogen and data center deals.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has called elections for March 10.
An Intercampus poll on Friday showed Costa’s Socialist Party, which will elect a new leader next month, won 23.6% of the vote, while the centre-right opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) won 21.9%. Other polls show the PSD in the lead.
According to Friday’s opinion polls, the PSD needs support from the far-right Chega party to form a government, but party leader Luis Montenegro has so far ruled out such a partnership.
Montenegro, who has often been criticized for lacking political charisma, acknowledged at a party congress on Saturday that some believe he must be “more energetic and sharp” as he seeks to become prime minister. I promised to do my best in the race I bet on.
“Let’s start working, let’s go to town,” said the 50-year-old man. “We are the only option that matters… Anyone who wants a change of government… must vote for the PSD.”
Montenegro said the PSD would present a full party plan in due course, but said some of its proposals would include lower income taxes for under-35s and free child care and preschool for everyone. .
Montenegro said that in order to attract older voters, the PSD would not reduce “one penny from any pensions” and would increase them gradually. He said the minimum monthly benefit for low-income pensioners should be 820 euros ($894.37) by 2028.
He said it was important to attract migrants to Portugal to solve demographic challenges, adding: “The door should not be wide open or locked,” adding: “We need regulation and dignity.” .
The Montenegrin lawyer appears to be indirectly referring to Chega, who has put anti-immigration policies at the top of his political agenda. He also said it was important to root out corruption, regulate lobbying and criminalize illicit enrichment.
(1 dollar = 0.9168 euro)
(Reporting by Catalina DeMony in Lisbon; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
