Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa Explains Decision Against State Council Meeting on Budget

President's Stance on State Council Meeting

In statements made to journalists after attending a closure event organized by the Comunidade Vida e Paz in Lisbon, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa addressed questions regarding the lack of a State Council meeting following the government's budget proposal submission.

He explained that a second State Council meeting would be necessary to specifically discuss the State Budget, but emphasized that it is crucial to have new data beyond what was discussed in the last meeting held on October 1st. Without this new information, he stated, the Council would not convene again just to reiterate previous positions.

Future Plans for Council Meetings

The President expressed that it seemed reasonable to hold off on the meeting for now, with the possibility of calling it later if warranted. Currently, he has no plans for a new meeting.

When asked about his optimism regarding the approval of the State Budget, Rebelo de Sousa remarked that he refrains from commenting on the budget to avoid adding to the noise, yet he continues to hold the same views on what he believes is beneficial for the country. He asserted, "I haven’t changed my mind about what is good for the country."

Context of Recent Discussions

The State Council had convened on October 1st amidst budget negotiations, where the President acknowledged applying pressure for the approval of the 2025 Budget. Earlier in September, he indicated plans to call another meeting specifically focused on the State Budget, but without a set date, following the government's proposal presentation expected on October 10th. He noted that the key steps involve understanding the proposed law, observing reactions to it, and scheduling the second meeting as soon as possible.