LISBON (Reuters) – The leader of the main opposition in Portugal has promised to reduce income tax for young people and gradually increase state pensions if he wins the upcoming snap election. The election was called earlier this month after Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigned due to an investigation into alleged illegalities in his government’s handling of certain deals.
The President has set the election for March 10, and a recent poll by Intercampus showed the Socialist Party with 23.6% of the vote, and the centre-right opposition Social Democrats with 21.9%. Other polls indicate that the Social Democrats are ahead.
According to the recent poll, the Social Democrats would require the support of the far-right party Chega to form a government, however, the party’s leader has ruled out any such alliance.
At a party congress, the opposition leader, Luis Montenegro, acknowledged the need for more energy and charisma and promised to give his all in the race for premiership. He emphasized the importance of voting for the PSD for anyone seeking a change in government.
Montenegro revealed the PSD’s commitment to lowering income tax for those under 35 and implementing free daycare and pre-school for all. He also assured older voters that the PSD would not cut any pension benefits and would gradually increase them, aiming for a minimum monthly benefit for low-income pensioners of 820 euros by 2028.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of attracting migrants to Portugal to help address demographic challenges, advocating for the regulation and dignification of the process. He indirectly addressed Chega’s anti-immigration policies and emphasized the need to eradicate corruption, regulate lobbying, and criminalize illicit enrichment.
Montenegro also emphasized the need for regulating migration to Portugal and eradicating corruption, lobbying, and illicit enrichment. He also stressed the need to attract migrants to help overcome demographic challenges.
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(Reporting by Catarina Demony in Lisbon; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
