Montenegro appoints Government for four and a half years

Luís Montenegro took office this Wednesday as Prime Minister of the XXIV Constitutional Government with the conviction that the Executive “is here to govern the four and a half years of the legislature. We are not interested in semantic games or sterile politics. This Government is not here on duty.”

The new Prime Minister recalled that he takes office after two dissolutions of the Assembly of the Republic, in the context of “two outbreaks of war”, the “most voluminous investment plan since joining the European Union”, a “very high level of poverty” and a “State that does not respond adequately to its citizens”.

Hence, he argued, “it will be unforgivable for politics to constitute an aggravating factor and not a solution to so many problems”. To do so, this “will require humility from everyone, a patriotic spirit and the capacity for dialogue. And that is what is also expected from the opposition.”

Thus, Luís Montenegro argued that “not rejecting the Government Program in Parliament does not just mean allowing the start of government action. It means allowing its execution until the end of the mandate or, at the limit, until the approval of a motion of censure”, adding that “it does not mean a blank check but it also cannot mean a check without coverage”.

The leader of the Executive highlighted the Socialist Party, “which has governed 22 of the last 28 years, despite its legitimacy in constituting itself as a supervisor of Government action and as a future alternative, which we understand with total democratic respect, it must be clear and authentic regarding the attitude it will take: be democratic opposition or be democratic blockade.”

Addressing the other parties with parliamentary seats, he challenged Montenegro to jointly design an anti-corruption program, which must “mobilize everyone” since no one “has a monopoly on the best solutions” so “everyone’s contribution is essential”.

The Prime Minister called for everyone’s “maturity” and “commitment” to the results of the March 10 elections and listed the fight against bureaucracy as an “imperative for State effectiveness” and youth as two of his main priorities.

“I am not resigned, we cannot accept the situation we are experiencing in Portugal. Our young people qualify more than ever, but around a third go abroad in search of an opportunity. This is a family, social and economic scourge”, she defended.

Montenegro also highlighted the Government’s priorities as “reducing the IRS, especially for the middle class and young people” and “exempting productivity bonuses from taxes and contributions up to the limit of one salary” as well as “reducing the IRC from 21% to 15 % in three years”.

“The exemption from IMT for the purchase of the first home and the reduction in taxation on the sector, together with a reduction in bureaucracy and licensing costs and the use of State properties, are policies that will aim to increase supply, moderate the price and support demand”, the Government leader also pointed out.

The prime minister also indicated as a priority “an Emergency Program for Health that will be presented by the 2nd of June” and for Education “investment in human capital, culture and science” which “increases the potential for creating wealth of the country and with this makes it possible to generate better jobs and better salaries, and keep young people in Portugal”.

“A policy that removes the main obstacles to birth rates, with public incentive policies, with free nurseries and preschool, with tax advantages for large families, and improved labor legislation” is another priority, along with “regulated immigration , attractive to qualified professionals, proactive with young students and capable of bringing families together, improving their integration into our community”.

For Security Montenegro pointed out “the strengthening of prevention, proximity and the area of ​​cybersecurity” and for Justice he defended that “speed and procedural simplification are fundamental axes to give confidence to citizens, institutions and economic agents”.