The leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) parliamentary group, Hugo Soares, highlighted the proposal for tax cuts presented by the Social Democrats.

After a meeting with the Minister of Justice, Rita Júdice, Soares stated that "the Government has fulfilled an electoral promise". "There is no record of a Government with such a short time in office deciding on tax relief that mainly affects the middle class", he told reporters.

In the same statements, the PSD secretary-general also predicted: "The Portuguese people understand this political message very well. There is a Government that wants to lower taxes and today made the reduction in taxes on the middle class a reality. And there is an opposition that does not want to, but at the same time that it does not want to, says that it is insufficient".

He then said that the challenge now lies with the Socialist Party (PS), "on whether or not to vote in favour of reducing personal income tax - now, now, now - for the middle class in Portugal, in particular".

After the meeting with the Minister of Justice, Hugo Soares defended that "the PSD's electoral programme, and, subsequently, the Government's programme presented, have very specific measures in terms of combating corruption, increasing transparency and integrity in the actions of the Public Administration and politicians".

He also welcomed the initiative of the Executive to place "combating corruption at the top of the priorities" and to show "openness" to dialogue and understanding, with this issue requiring "the greatest possible political consensus". "Corruption undermines the credibility of political institutions and the trust of citizens in institutions", he said.

The regulation of 'lobbying', "which was widely discussed in the previous legislature", and the criminalisation of illicit enrichment were the priorities highlighted by the leader of the PSD parliamentary group.

"The simpler and more transparent the decision-making processes are, the easier it is to combat corruption from a prevention standpoint. Therefore, we welcome the creation of the Ministry of Administrative Modernisation", he argued, stating that the more effective and transparent the Public Administration is, the easier it is to prevent unclear actions and combat corruption".

The Minister of Justice will meet with all parliamentary groups to discuss issues related to combating corruption. She has already met with the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Socialist Party (PS) and Chega, as well as the People-Animals-Nature (PAN) party, to discuss the Executive's future efforts in the area of combating corruption.

The meetings will continue on Monday, 22nd, with IL (09:00), BE (10:00), PCP (11:00), Livre (12:00) and CDS (14:30).

[News updated at 18:22]

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