Montenegro and Rui Rocha. Separated by “a speed difference”

The debate between Luís Montenegro (AD) and Rui Rocha showed two leaders according to many articles. Rocha acknowledged, for example, that this government descended taxes – albeit not enough; Montenegro recalled that this government resumed PPP, a solution defended by IL. The main difference of proposals will therefore be especially a degree difference, not so much of substance. Rocha summed up the question well in two sentences: « AD slogan is that Portugal can’t stop, ours is to accelerate. It’s a speed difference. »

However, in a look the IL leader was blunt. Even without exploring the case that involved the prime minister and his company, Spinumviva, said IL will bear to « recover the conditions of dignity in the performance of duties. » That is, it considers that this dignity was posed in question by the situation involving the Prime Minister.

And accused Montenegro of being an instability promoter.

Already the prime minister presented the work done by his government in different sectors. In health, with more family doctors; in the tax burden, which descended; In improving conditions for the elderly and pensioners, teachers and security forces.

About health, Rocha argued that “it is necessary to confront AD, Luís Montenegro, with the promises he made”, that all the Portuguese in late 2025 would have family doctor. About taxes, he argued that the descent was not expected after eight years of socialist governance. And on salary or pension adjustments, it lamented that they were not made with reformist criteria. « Someone made a noise and the government was checking, shooting money on problems. »

Still on the descent of taxes, which is one of the flags of IL, Montenegro shot: « Lowering taxes means investing in wealth creation, we do not lower taxes for lowering. » And he tried to paste to IL an image of adventurerism or irresponsibility.

About the possibility of a post-election coalition, none of the contenders opened the game.

Already close to the end, questioned by Hugo Gilberto if he should not be an apology to the Portuguese for the Spinumviva case, the prime minister replied: « What I owe is the ability to work. »