The Secretary-General of PS, José Luís Carneiro, accused the Government of "making money" from fuel price increases during a visit to the 12th AgroSemana – Northern Agricultural Fair in Vila do Conde. The socialist leader revealed that on Thursday, in Parliament, he submitted a proposal to reduce VAT on fuels and essential foods, marking the third time PS has presented this initiative, which has been rejected by AD, Liberal Initiative and Chega.
José Luís Carneiro presented figures to support the accusation, stating that the Government earns nine cents for each liter of diesel and six cents for each liter of gasoline sold. According to the socialist leader, between 2024 and 2025, the Executive earned 1,048 million euros in fuel taxes, and between January and July it received an additional 1,070 million euros in VAT revenue due to inflation.
The PS leader warned that on Monday the country will have the largest ever fuel price increase, with diesel rising 15 cents and gasoline 12 cents per liter, according to estimates from the Portuguese Automobile Club. Carneiro criticized the prime minister's "incapacity, incompetence and insensitivity" to respond to the cost of living, emphasizing that the VAT reduction is also intended to support farmers, fishermen, transport, logistics and distribution.
Also the Secretary-General of PCP, Paulo Raimundo, considered the fuel discount increase decided by the Government insufficient, calling it "demagogic." During the Avante! Festival, the communist leader challenged the Executive to force oil companies to lower prices, suggesting that the State use its 8% stake in Galp to achieve this.
