Despite the denials of Paulo Rangel (deputy and vice-chairman of the PSD), the PS backtracked on the accusation this Friday: the social democrat even actively supported his European party, PPE (European People’s Party), when they attacked the ECB (European Central Bank). ) to raise interest rates. The insistence was carried out this Friday by the parliamentary leader of the Socialists, Eurico Brilhante Dias, during a press conference in parliament.
The socialist parliamentarian stated that the terms invoked by Paulo Rangel to soften his support for the PPE’s position in late September fell out shortly after – and that the PSD vice-president himself gave an explanation of vote that coincides exactly with the dominant line at the ECB in raising interest rates and controlling inflation.
“Politics needs seriousness in their relationship with the Portuguese, the PSD must not be two-sided, it cannot express its concern about the rise in interest rates in Lisbon and be in favor of this increase in Brussels.”
In the copy of Rangel’s explanation of vote, distributed to journalists by the PS, on measures to support families and businesses in the face of rising costs: “These extraordinary measures must be defined, exceptional and limited in time.” Now, “politics needs seriousness in the relationship with the Portuguese, the PSD must not be two-sided, it cannot worry in Lisbon about the rise in interest rates and be in Brussels for this increase”.
In the presence of journalists, the leader of the socialist bank recalled that on Wednesday in the plenary session, in the Assembly of the Republic, he showed a political document of the PPE of September 29, in which he defended the importance of raising interest rates by the ECB. . He also recalled that the PSD at the time “responded that it did not agree and that it set a series of conditions for the realization of this rate hike”.
“The PPE is campaigning for rate hikes. It has always been looking for the ECB to be faster and raise rates.”
“Today I present here an amendment proposed by the EPP, on 4 October, which gives substance to what is contained in the 29 September document, and not only reinforces the determination that the ECB must have to raise interest rates, but also asks also that this rate hike will be implemented quickly. In addition, all the conditions that Paulo Rangel mentioned in the September 29 document have fallen, they do not exist.” Also according to the PS group leader, the proposed amendment was tabled by two MEPs from the PPE, received favorable votes from the PPE, but was rejected by other groups. “What is our surprise when we know that Paulo Rangel has voted worldwide for the project and made an explanation of vote in which he does not once mention the rise in interest rates, the position of the ECB, nor how important protecting family income is. .”
Similarly, he added, MEP Cláudia Aguiar also makes no mention of how the amendment was voted. Nor does he say that he disagrees with his group regarding the will of the PPE on interest rates – a party that is conservative, which went for sanctions against Portugal and which was on the side of austerity against the Portuguese. . campaigning for rate hikes. He has always looked forward to the ECB being faster and raising interest rates.”
On Thursday, the ECB announced a further increase in interest rates by 75 basis points. With this increase, the third in a row and the second of its magnitude, the ECB’s main refinancing rate stands at 2%, the rate on deposits at 1.5% and the rate on the permanent liquidity-providing facility to 2.25%. (with Lusa)
Source: DN
