The Socialist secretary general and a PAN spokesman converged on the budget leadership for precipitating the current political crisis, but they disagreed on topics such as lithium exploration and the construction of a new airport.

Antonio Costa and Ines Sousa Real held a pre-election debate for the expected legislature on January 30 on TVI this Saturday, lasting about 25 minutes, always proceeding in a cordial manner.

In the first half of the meeting, dedicated to management issues, there was almost no disagreement between the positions of the leader of the Socialists, the current prime minister and the PAN deputy.

Antonio Costa praised the “very constructive” dialogue that his governments have had with PAN since 2016, highlighted the party’s contribution to reaffirming the centrality of root causes such as the climate emergency, animal protection and welfare, and pointed to a sense of responsibility this side for the consistency of the State Budget for 2022, which ultimately failed.

“Apart from PS, it was the only party that did not contribute to this political crisis,” he said.

Later, Ines Sousa Real stressed that the PAN “did not contribute to political instability” and argued that “the Portuguese did not want a political crisis amid the economic crisis.”

As for the possible entry of PAN into the PS government, Antonio Costa left this question until after January 30: “The Portuguese will decide how to govern in the next legislature.”

Ines Sousa Real said at this point that the PAN “can do its part given the expression the Portuguese want to give” to its political force in early legislative elections.

PS General Secretary and PAN Spokesperson provided not very different positions on issues such as IRS level breakdowns, carbon tax, climate change measures such as the closure of coal-fired power plants, and animal welfare issues. …

In the middle of the discussion of these issues, Antonio Costa made a political remark to Ines Sousa Real, saying that it is difficult for him to understand the reason why the PAN considers itself equidistant between PS and PSD, when the Social Democrats, in their program, “advocate the liberalization of eucalyptus plantations” and want return animal protection to the custody of the General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine.

“I will certainly have the opportunity to discuss this with Dr. Rui Rio, but now, in fact, PAN is completely distancing itself from these options for the country,” Ines Souza Real replied, referring to the so-called “Central Block”. “.

“Whoever voted on the PSD was PS, not PAN,” he objected.