Former PS Socialist finance minister Fernando Medina has reacted today to claims (by AD’s finance minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento) that he left public finances in chaos. Mr Sarmento is simply showing his lack of preparedness for the job, and using “falsity” (ie lying) “as an instrument of political combat”, says Mr Medina. Miranda Sarmento claims to have discovered a number of resolutions among the 108 approved by the government when it was in caretaker mode that involved considerable expense. He has estimated the deficit to have reached €600 million by the time AD was voted into power. Indeed, PSD parliamentary leader Hugo Soares claims the government authorised over €900 MILLION in expenses AFTER the March 10 elections in which PS Socialists lost to the AD (Democratic Alliance).
Finance minister claims predecessor left public finances in “chaos”
One of the moments of last month's protest outside government headquarters. Image: Lusa
