The prime minister said on Friday that the European Commission’s economic forecasts are good news for Portugal, but warned that it is necessary to “keep pedaling” to keep the Portuguese economy on track.
This view was expressed by António Costa at the end of the working meeting with the Icelandic Prime Minister, Katrin Jakobsdotti, after being questioned about the European Commission’s economic forecasts for the Portuguese economy.
This Friday, Brussels revised its growth forecast for the Portuguese economy this year upwards to 2.4%, the third highest rate in the Eurozone, and an inflation rate of 5.1% in 2023, moderating to 2.7% in 2024.
“In fact, forecasts point to stronger growth expectations than previously expected. Therefore, we can continue on the path we are on in terms of strengthening the impact of the economy on the lives of the Portuguese”declared the prime minister.
Faced with this “good news” from Brussels, the leader of the Portuguese executive once again used the image of the bicycle to apply it to the economy and to fight an idea of conformity.
“If we have good news in the economy, it shouldn’t make us restless. On the contrary, it should make us understand the following: Like cycling, we keep pedaling and the economy keeps growing, or if we stop, we keep pedaling .” the bicycle does not run and may even derail”he said.
Therefore, for Antonio Costa, “the solution is really to keep pedaling so that the economy continues to give good results, which translates into an improvement in the quality of life of the Portuguese”.
According to the Prime Minister, Portugal will have to with a view to the future “maintaining a high level of employment, because that is the best way to translate the economy into people’s daily lives”.
“Secondly, we must continue the path of income recovery, as evidenced by the social bargaining agreement we signed to guarantee that at the end of the legislature, the wages of the Portuguese will increase their weight in gross domestic product to 48%, i.e. the community average”he said.
According to António Costa, the most recent indicators show that Portugal is capable of this “Keep taking the same kind of measures to fight inflation, with a reduction in VAT, support for families, an interim increase in salaries due this month to the civil service and, in July, to the pensioners.”
“This ability to continue to support income policies is paramount while continuing to have resources to improve the National Health Service or public school”he added.
Source: DN
