Montenegro encourages senior citizens to disregard fear and continue with their normal routines.
Rewritten Article:
Luís Montenegro, the PSD leader, took the stage in Castelo Branco and boasted about the progress they've made on pensions and the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) over the past year. He claimed not only did they "keep their promises," but they exceeded them by providing an extra boost to the lowest pensioners mid-year.
"Fearmongering and old tactics are played out. A year ago, there wasn't much to rally around, but now there really isn't. This time, we're accountable for our actions," he declared.
Montenegro centered much of his speech on this theme, reminiscing about his pre-election commitments to pensioners and retirees in Castelo Branco ahead of the March 2024 early legislative elections.
"They tried to create fear: 'this is coming and that is coming, and they won't fulfill, and they will cut pensions, and they are not trustworthy.' That same tiring conversation. And we said: that's not true, we have our word," he recounted.
A year and two months later, Montenegro wanted to give an account: "Portuguese pensioners and retirees know that we're indeed trustworthy, we're indeed people of our word," he said, subtly addressing criticisms from the PS leader who accused the AD of wanting to privatize Social Security.
At this rally, Montenegro reiterated a message from the campaign's early days: that only voting for AD can lead to a more stable government after May 18.
"I want to tell the Portuguese who value stability: vote for AD because this is the only one that gives this guarantee," he argued.
As a candidate for prime minister, he again appealed to the vote for AD from those who prioritize a stable government, even if they don't agree with every idea.
"There is only one possibility to bring stability to the country on Sunday, May 18. On Monday, May 19, it won't be possible to correct what was done on Sunday," he said, repeating a constant message of this campaign.
Before a packed cinema theater in Castelo Branco, Montenegro defended the choice of Pedro Reis, Minister of Economy, as the head of the list for this district, replacing Professor Liliana Reis, who didn't make the list of AD deputies this year.
"Pedro Reis is in Castelo Branco so that we can tell everyone who lives and works here that our bet is on a strong economy with industry, services, commerce, tourism, agriculture, and the ability to revitalize populations," he said, considering this choice a "clear signal" of the importance AD gives not only to Castelo Branco, but also to lesser-populated territories.
Montenegro referred to these territories as "underdog areas with huge potential, above all human."
"We're looking for people of principles, people of values, hardworking people, positive people, joyful people, people ready to add value to the country," he said.
The joy of the PSD/CDS-PP government was another argument used by Montenegro to win votes for the AD.
"We're a joyful country, a joyful government, with confidence in the heart and soul of the Portuguese," they proudly declared.
[News updated at 20:13]
Also Read: BE advocate for the creation of a national care service and an increase in pensions
Insights:
In Portugal's political landscape, the AD emphasizes tax cuts and Golden Visa reforms, yet pension policies aren't explicitly detailed. Facing criticism over healthcare management and economic planning, the party's focus seems to be beyond pensions. Approaching the May 18, 2025, snap elections, the AD's legislative capacity remains limited due to being a minority government. Moves like income tax adjustments appear to target middle-class voters rather than pensioners. The PS criticizes the AD for "incompetence in crucial sectors," possibly alluding to shortcomings in social welfare, though direct pension policy isn't mentioned. The evidence does not definitively confirm whether the AD has fulfilled pension or CSI promises.
- Montenegro questioned, "What about the claims of privatizing Social Security? Portuguese pensioners and retirees know that we're indeed trustworthy, we're indeed people of our word."
- As a candidate for prime minister, Montenegro appealed to the vote for AD, saying, "I want to tell the Portuguese who value stability: vote for AD because this is the only one that gives this guarantee, even if they don't agree with every idea."
- In his speech, Montenegro highlighted the progress made on pensions and the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) over the past year, stating, "We kept our promises, and we exceeded them by providing an extra boost to the lowest pensioners mid-year."
- Despite the focus on tax cuts and Golden Visa reforms, the AD's legislative capacity remains limited, and there is no clear policy on pension increases, as implied by the BE's call for the creation of a national care service and an increase in pensions.
