PS chief claims two legislative victories, accuses AD government of 'dating' far-right Chega

Opening the National Commission

In Lisbon, the PS National Commission began with a minute of silence for the earthquake victims in Venezuela, at the request of Carneiro. The meeting marked exactly one year since his first election as secretary-general. Carneiro said that in every decision he had placed the national interest above partisan or personal interests.

Two claimed victories

He then highlighted two recent developments as party victories: the blocking of the government's "counter-labour reform" and the halt of the Single Social Benefit.

“We were capable of stopping two profoundly unfair, profoundly inhuman measures. It was a victory of the Socialist Party.”

He framed the outcome as a victory not only for the PS but also for 5,334,700 workers and thousands of families living in difficulty.

Attack on AD-Chega ties

Carneiro accused the AD government and the far-right Chega party of engaging in a public "courtship" of alternating affection and distance.

“The Portuguese may not follow all the political manoeuvres of AD and Chega, nor understand the dating that sometimes is with kisses and other times with sulks.”

He argued that citizens know the government is not solving their problems and that the PS is a credible alternative.

Economic criticism and four priorities

He directly addressed Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

“Mr Prime Minister, take your head out of the sand. Your Government is not working.”

Carneiro blamed the government for a trade deficit exceeding €30 billion in 2025 and a decline in foreign direct investment. He then listed four priorities for the coming months: a proposal to boost productivity and competitiveness, reducing the cost-of-living impact, raising the lowest pensions, and pressing the government on housing, incomes and health.

Parliamentary days on suburban rail

On Monday morning, Carneiro and PS deputies will join thousands of commuters on the 40-minute CP train ride between Sintra and Rossio. The Sintra line is the busiest suburban rail route in Portugal, carrying around 280 thousand passengers a day (100 million annually). The parliamentary days are part of a series of visits to the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.