The president of the Azores government vowed on Thursday that he will “do everything” to ensure that a new 2024 budget proposal is approved, arguing that “the people prefer stability” and are open to a “mature dialogue”.
“I will do everything I can to make that happen [aprovada uma nova proposta de Orçamento]. Now everyone takes responsibility. Above all, people, families, companies and institutions must understand who is on the side of the interests of others or who is on the side of their own interests,” emphasizes José Manuel Bolieiro.
The leader of the regional executive (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) spoke at the Legislative Assembly headquarters in Horta, after the region’s 2024 plan and budget failed, with IL, PS and BE voting against and abstentions from Chega and PAN. The parties that make up the government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) and the independent deputy Carlos Furtado (former Chega) voted in favor of the documents.
Before the vote, in anticipation of the rejection, the President of the Government of the Azores expressed his intention to present a new proposal for a regional budget for 2024.
In statements after the vote, José Manuel Bolieiro defended that “democracy works normally when the mandates are fulfilled,” but acknowledged that it is necessary to “give the word back to the people” if there are no guarantees of stability.
“If parliamentary stability is impossible, it is best to give the floor back to the people so that the people can decide. I know the people prefer stability, there are so many problems. Crises and wars do not help the country. economy, nor life, businesses and families. A new political crisis is not good,” he stressed.
José Manuel Bolieiro admitted that the coming days will be “a lot of work” and showed his willingness to negotiate with political parties on the approval of a second version of the 2024 budget.
“I am very happy that, as leader of the coalition and the government, I am available for a mature dialogue and can ensure that people and political parties feel part of the solution and not part of the problem,” he stated.
The Social Democrat also reiterated his intention to present the new forecast document before the 90 days set by law.
PSD says this delays the application of “very important” measures
The parliamentary leader of the PSD/Açores believed that the guidance of the budget is a delay in the application of “very important” measures for the region and said that the executive will comply with the legislation and submit a second proposal.
“Not approving this budget and plan for 2024 now is a postponement of measures that are important for the Azores and that we would now like to see implemented, not only within the framework of public administration, but also in the context of investments that are important.” and other support measures of great importance for the Azores,” said Bruto da Costa.
The PSD parliamentary leader explained that the regional government will comply with the autonomous legislation and present a second budget and that the parties must analyze and vote on it.
Gross da Costa said that the parliamentary mechanisms for voting and approving a 2024 budget have not yet been exhausted and considered it contradictory if the PS were to say that it agrees with the measures contained in the document, “but that only after six months, because of political interests’. ease “.
“It is logical that, since the parliamentary mechanism for approving the 2024 budget has not yet been exhausted, this mechanism remains in place and the government [Regional]“In the obligation you have to submit a second budget, you must submit a second budget to this meeting,” he stated.
Source: DN
