Portugal: Possible political crises over state budget negotiation ‘unthinkable’

There is no political crisis scenario following a possible state budget rejection, Prime Minister António Costa told journalists Tuesday. The response came following questions on whether the current political situation could make it more difficult for political forces such as the PCP, PEV and Left Bloc to make the state budget proposal for 2022 viable.

“So far, none of the [left-wing partners in parliament] has established any relationship between local elections and the budget process,” the PM said.

“That has been said publicly and continues to be said. On election night itself, in fact, the general secretary of the PCP, Jerónimo de Sousa, said this himself. There is, therefore, no reason for one thing to change the other,” he added.

The prime minister also ruled out any reshuffle in his government following Sunday’s local council election results, countering that reshuffles will happen among mayors. However, the PM remained enigmatic when he said that “refreshing” happens with the winter period.

“I thought that the issue of the government reshuffle had been clarified and overcome in July. There is no reshuffle planned. The only reshuffle that the local elections determined is the reshuffle of the mayors”, he also said.

(Pedro Morais Fonseca, Lusa.pt)