Finance Minister calls into question the credibility of PS accounts – publico

                 

                         
                     

                         

                 

 
                         

A day after the PS present the report from the 12 economists invited to develop a macroeconomic scenario for the next legislative, Finance Minister called into question the credibility of the projections of the Socialists, in contrast to the predictions of the Government.

                     

                          In Parliament, where on the afternoon of Thursday discussing the Stability Plan and the National Reform Programme that the Government will send to the European Commission, Maria Luís Albuquerque doubted the accounts of economists, speaking in a “collage of forecasts at least not perceived. ” “For something that was so important we felt strange,” needled.

The finance minister defended the government’s strategy, says that based on credible projections and from “a reality that exists,” took the debate to point the finger at economists working basis invited by the PS, focusing the discussion on the technical nature of the document coordinated by the economist of the Bank of Portugal Mário Centeno.

The doubts were raised after the deputy PS John Galamba question the minister about the impact on economic activity of the Government’s proposals for pensions. Galamba asked the minister how it will be possible to cut 600 million in pensions and “there is no impact on consumption.”

The minister denied it concerned a cut of EUR 600 million in pensions, arguing that what is in the program is a “positive impact” in the accounts of Social Security that will depend on the cut in spending and increase revenue. The way to reduce spending, the minister did not explain. Maria Luis Albuquerque said the model to reach the objective of saving 600 million is still open.

The minister also argued that the problem of Social Security is not resolved and linked the PS to this analysis, stating that that is what the study of socialist demonstrated.

Maria Luís Albuquerque argued that the model is not closed, referred the solution for the next legislative and has recalled the PS to the negotiating table. “After this phase of the elections”, the minister promises to make “adjustments will be needed.”