The Prime Minister said on Wednesday that the main aim of next year’s budget is to place Portugal in a safe haven from current external disruptions, maintain growth and employment and reduce debt.
This position was expressed by António Costa during the meeting with PS deputies, a day after the government presented the 2024 state budget proposal, in a speech of about 25 minutes.
“We know very well what happens when debt levels start to rise and the pressures countries are exposed to. It is essential that we place ourselves in a safe haven when faced with external disruptions.”he declared at the end of his speech, in an allusion to Portugal’s target to approach or surpass Belgium next year in terms of the weight of debt in gross domestic product.
The current external situation was also mentioned by the Secretary General of the PS in the initial stages of his speech, when he tried to explain the main strategic lines of the 2024 budget proposal.
The executive leader pointed out that some of Europe’s major economies will be in or close to recession next year, which will certainly pose obstacles in terms of external demand and investment.
According to António Costa, Portugal must therefore “maintain the current high level of employment, which has been key to the successful evolution of the Portuguese economy and economic growth”.
To this end, given the predictable external situation next year, and to maintain employment levels and some growth, “the pillars of the state budget are the strengthening of revenues and investments”, especially those of the public sector, it claimed he.
Source: DN
