The Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, today accused Chega of "trying to deceive the Portuguese" in the debate over reducing VAT on fuels. The accusation came following a challenge launched by the president of Chega, André Ventura, who on Friday challenged Carneiro to approve the reduction of VAT on fuels from the current 23% to the intermediate rate of 13%.
José Luís Carneiro stated that the Socialist Party was the first to present proposals to reduce VAT on fuels, having done so twice, but that Chega voted against both initiatives. The socialist leader noted that the PS presented the proposal for the third time last week, and only then did Chega support it.
According to Carneiro, in addition to the fuel proposals, the PS also presented initiatives to reduce VAT on electricity, bottled gas and essential food items. The socialist leader indicated that AD, Chega and Iniciativa Liberal rejected these proposals, and emphasized that what Chega brought to the discussion is "an attempt to deceive the Portuguese".
Carneiro made these statements to journalists upon arrival at the PS National Local Convention, held in Leiria. At the convention, the PS advocated for a new way of looking at the powers and organization of political power, proposing more human and financial resources for local authorities and greater autonomy.
