PCP pledges to vote against 2027 budget and summons Portuguese cabinet

Budget rejection without prior review

Portuguese Communist Party Secretary-General Paulo Raimundo announced on Friday, 2 October 2026, that the party will vote against the government's upcoming 2027 State Budget proposal. Speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the PCP parliamentary days in Lisbon, Raimundo stated that he does not need to inspect the legislative text to determine the party's vote. He argued that because the budget serves as a direct instrument of the current administration's policy, communist lawmakers cannot endorse it in any form. The two-day parliamentary gathering took place between Thursday and Friday at the Assembleia da República. Raimundo drew a direct comparison to the Socialist Party, observing that if socialist leaders do not need to read the draft to facilitate its passage, the PCP does not need to see it to oppose it.

I do not need to know the document to say that we will vote against, because if this is an instrument of this policy, we cannot support whatever instrument of this policy.

Accusations against parliamentary rivals

Raimundo criticized the Socialist Party for preparing to facilitate the budget through an abstention, arguing that this decision provides momentum to the government and removes pressure from Chega. According to Raimundo, Chega would vote to approve the budget if the Socialist Party decided not to let it pass. He described Portuguese politics as operating under an expanded five-party central bloc that includes the PSD, CDS, PS, Iniciativa Liberal, and Chega. Raimundo stated that all five parties act against the interests of working families, pointing specifically to Chega voting alongside the PSD to pass new rental tenancy legislation. He also condemned the parliamentary majority for tolerating childhood hardship across Portugal.

Beyond the shouting, beyond the demagogy, beyond the proclaimed red lines, hypocritically, they sleep peacefully with the fact that there are 300,000 children in a situation of poverty in our country.

Parliamentary interpellation on living conditions

The PCP scheduled a formal parliamentary interpellation of the government for 16 October 2026 in the Assembleia da República. The session is set to take place exactly one week after the government delivers its 2027 budget draft to parliament. Under the rules of procedure, parliamentary groups can use interpellation motions to legally oblige cabinet members to appear in the plenary chamber for a dedicated debate. Raimundo announced that communist deputies will confront ministers with the worsening of general living conditions and what he described as the denial of fundamental rights in housing, healthcare, and public education. He added that the party refuses to accept a national reality shaped by inequality and insisted that the upcoming budget caters to large corporate capital.

We do not resign ourselves, we do not give up, on 16 October we will, right here in the Assembly of the Republic, interpellate the Government on the worsening of living conditions and denial of fundamental rights, in housing, health and education. We will confront the Government with the consequences of its disastrous policy.

Policy proposals for families and children

At the conclusion of the parliamentary days, which were dedicated to the rights of children and parents, Raimundo outlined a legislative package intended to shield families from rising living costs. The primary proposal calls for establishing a state-run daycare network with 100,000 places over the next four years at an estimated cost of 2 billion euros. The party also demanded the full restoration of universal access to family allowance benefits, alongside higher monthly payments for recipients. Further measures in the platform include state co-financing for prescription eyeglasses and orthodontic dental braces. Raimundo stated that the administration holds a responsibility to safeguard living standards, domestic production, and vulnerable children against rising expenses.