Portugal in transformation orbit
Her new government Portugalunder the leadership of Luis Montenegro and of the « Democratic Alliance » alliance, presented its ambitious program for the next four years, aimed at the country’s economic and institutional transformation. The program of more than 200 pages, approved by the Council of Ministers and submitted to Parliament by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Carlos Abreou Amorim, sets ten key priority axes for the country’s development and modernization.
Increase minimum wage and tax relief
One of the main measures is the gradual increase in the minimum wage from EUR 870 to EUR 1,100 to 2029, as well as the average salary to 2,000 euros. At the same time, there is a minimum income for retirees of € 870. In the tax field, a reduction in the income tax of natural persons (IRS) by EUR 2 billion is planned, of which € 500 million already in 2025. For businesses, there is a gradual reduction in income tax (IRC) to 17%, and 15% for small and medium -sized enterprises for the first 50,000 euros.
Investment in defense and housing
The program includes a significant increase in defense investment to 2% of GDP as early as 2025, with an emphasis on infrastructure and equipment. In the area of housing, the government is seeking to build 59,000 houses, with a special and temporary regime to accelerate the erection and renovation of individuals and cooperatives.
Reduction of bureaucracy and state reform
The priorities of the government are to simplify administrative procedures, with the aim of accelerating licensing, public supply and business establishment, as well as to enhance public spending control.
Migration policy and international ambitions
The government proposes stricter arrangements in naturalization and legislation for immigrants and asylum seekers, pursuing a « humanitarian but regulated » immigration policy. At the same time, it states support for the expansion of the European Union and Portugal’s candidacy for a non -permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Among the individual measures stand out the proposal to ban the use of mobile phones in schools, as well as the regulation of the access of minors up to 12 years of social media.
The program is expected to be voted on to Parliament, with the Communist Party (PCP) already announcing its intention. However, the Modeten government is ready to seek consensus with all political forces, stating that « it is a commitment to transform the country over the next four years ».
