Portugal’s prime minister, Luís Montenegro, has taken a two-pronged approach to the New Year – publishing an opinion piece in today’s edition of Jornal de Notícias, and releasing a message to his own party over Instagram in which he extolled on his government’s efforts to ‘transform Portugal’ and take it to ‘the front line’ of European countries.
Perpetuating his ‘Cristiano Ronaldo message’ of Christmas, the PSD leader stressed that by ‘working hard/ being courageous’, the government would be able to improve the country for all its citizens.
His Instagram message referred to ‘the successes’ of the minority executive, and the fact that it now has a three-and-a-half year period without elections to ‘realise its ambitious programme’ that seeks new conquests for Portugal.
Encouraging the party to ‘take advantage of the possibility that the Portuguese have entrusted us with to manage the destinies of the country’ – he included a plug for the PSD candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, Luís Marques Mendes – whom he described as the “best” and “most prepared” candidate for the role of head of state.
As news outlets remarked, the PM ‘dismissed the possibility of early elections’ – in spite of the fact that the government has no working majority, and a lot of critics in parliament.
It was, on the face of it, a ‘rousing message’ to the party faithful backed by the opinion piece which traced a future with “better jobs and better wages”, dependent on the passing of the labour reforms that have so incensed the unions (and prompted last month’s first general strike in nearly 13 years).
The thrust of the article was that there is “nothing to fear” in the proposed labour package – even though it has been trashed by all parties of the opposition, and has prompted another major union protest on January 13.
“Lower taxes, simpler processes, and more flexible work arrangements are prerequisites for better jobs and better wages. They are fundamental for decent salaries!” the PM argued – referring to the fact that today the minimum wage in this country has risen to €920 per month, with further increases of €50 per month every year until 2028.
Mr Montenegro also outlined the possibility of the minimum wage reaching €1,100 in 2029 (on the basis that the AD coalition government would win a further four-year term).
The “bottom line”, the PM stressed, is that we are already seen as a “particularly competitive country; a country with internationally recognised economic dynamism, as recently noted by The Economist and the Financial Times; a country that is a benchmark for financial stability; a country with political stability; a country with skilled human resources; a country with an appetite for new technologies; a country with growing energy autonomy; a country committed to simplifying, reducing bureaucracy and digitising; a country where taxes are falling and incomes are rising; a country with a strategic geographical location and with respectability and geopolitical influence; a safe country; among many other factors that distinguish us and make us stand out as a nation to be reckoned with, whether for investment or as a partner.
“My wish for 2026 is, however, more than just to be attractive. It is a goal, an ambition and a purpose for which I will fight tirelessly: to instil a new mindset that will launch us into a cycle of growth and prosperity, which are the foundations of social justice, the fight against poverty and the well-being of every Portuguese citizen: to make the Portuguese believe more in Portugal, more in themselves and to realise that, if we work harder on this, we will be more productive and efficient”.
“Economic competitiveness and robust, sustainable economic growth are fundamental to guaranteeing the Welfare State and the success of public policies,” the article continues, ending with the message that “Portugal’s path can only be to aim high in order to make possible what once seemed impossible…
“With this new mindset, I wish all Portuguese people a great 2026!”
It is too early to hear how this New Year’s message has been received by parties of the Opposition, but considering the myriad challenges facing the country (particularly when it comes to healthcare and housing, not to mention ‘labour reform’) and the slating of his Christmas ‘selling Wonderland’ message, they will no doubt have a great deal to say in the coming days and weeks.
Sources: LUSA/ SIC Notícias/ Jornal de Notícias
