PSD parliamentary days are usually outside the doors of São Bento, but they take place in Parliament today and tomorrow. They focus on the national budget for 2023, which must be discussed by the deputies. “The purpose of the meetings is to discuss the OE and the country’s economic situation in a broader way. They are meetings to consolidate criticism of the budget and highlight the PSD proposals, the eight priorities we present. “, the social-parliamentary leader told DN. -democrat.
Of the eight proposals he presented two weeks ago (see box), Joaquim Miranda Sarmento does not want to prioritize, especially since the PSD vote against the OE for next year has already been announced by the party chairman, Luís Montenegro.
“We presented our proposals, which we considered essential for the country. It is up to the PS to evaluate them, as it has an absolute majority,” said Miranda Sarmento.
Among those invited to these two days of parliamentary meetings, the chairman of the Social Democratic Bank emphasizes that it is a group of specialists, especially those without political participation, such as Cristina Casalinho, who was president of the Public Finance and Debt Management Bureau ( IGCP) from 2014 to 2022, which will talk about “the evolution of the Portuguese economy in 2023”.
Just like university professor Cláudia Reis Duarte will speak in the second lecture, about fiscal policy for the coming year.
On this first day of the days there will also be a dinner conference in which the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, will be the guest speaker and in which Luís Montenegro will participate.
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento recalls that Coins’ participation “coincides with the first year of his victory in Lisbon”, but emphasizes that the invitation is due to “his experience as mayor, European commissioner and ruler”.
Invitation to socialist
On Tuesday, the guest of the first session will be the president of the Association for Economic and Social Development (SEDES) and socialist leader, Álvaro Beleza, who will speak on “Health in the state budget”.
“He is someone who has a useful and recognized voice in the field of health, but also in many others,” emphasizes the party leader of the PSD.
On this last day of the parliamentary days, University Professor Jorge Bravo also spoke about work and social security at the OE2023, before closing days, responsible for Joaquim Miranda Sarmento and Luís Montenegro.
The PSD has already announced it will vote against next year’s proposed state budget and, before the government hands the diploma to parliament, has presented eight priorities, including lowering the IRS to the sixth tier, setting a cap on this tax of 15% for young people up to the age of 35, together with the reduction of the IRC and the expansion of the provision of day care and health, through contracts with private parties .
These will be the first parliamentary days of the Social Democrats led by the party of Luís Montenegro and the bench of Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, who is serving his first term as a deputy.
The last parliamentary days of the PSD took place in June 2021, in Portalegre, still with Rui Rio as chairman and Adão Silva as leader of the bank.
Lower IRS and more social support
These are some of the PSD’s priorities.
Young IRS
The PSD wants to apply a maximum IRS rate of 15% (excluding the last bracket of the income tax) for young people up to the age of 35.
social support
The party defends the increase of the Social Support Index in line with the estimated inflation of 7.4%, with the aim that those who receive social benefits (unemployment benefit, RSI, child benefit, etc.) do not lose their purchasing power.
National minimum wage
The PSD presents a negotiation proposal in the Social Dialogue for an increase in the National Minimum Wage from a reference value of €765 (an increase slightly above the expected inflation of 7.4%).
IRS
It is proposed to lower the IRS to the 6th step for an amount of approximately 400 M€.
general practitioners
The Social Democrats want to guarantee access to a general practitioner for all Portuguese and ensure that in the transition phase towards universal coverage it is possible, if necessary, to resort to contracting or complementary partnership with the social and private sector.
housing
The PSD defends the adoption of measures that would allow to mitigate the aggravation of the rise in interest rates through incentives and the removal of legal barriers,
fiscal and economic-financial: transition from a variable interest regime to a fixed interest rate; the change, renegotiation or restructuring of credit terms.
Family
It is proposed to negotiate in a social agreement to increase parental leave to 26 weeks and increase funds to ensure the universalization of daycare centers for all children.
businesses
The PSD aims to lower the IRC rate from 21% to 19% in 2023, with a cut from 19% to 17% in 2024, and strengthen capitalization and financing lines for SMEs.
Source: DN
