The Government is reported to be studying the possibility of easing pension cuts for those receiving over €1,000 per month.
According to a report in Correio da Manhã on September 11, there are two options on the table: to keep the CES (extraordinary contribution payment) but replace 20% of the cut, as happened with the salaries of public sector workers, or to scrap the CES altogether and repay it back into people’s pensions.
The reason for this sudden ‘change-of-heart’ is largely based on the fact that the country goes to the polling booths next year, and after three years of fiscal austerity, the government realises it has to give people some hope.
Whether the tactic works or not – and which option may or may not be used – remains to be seen.
Talking as MPs returned from the summer recess, Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said that the Government was not planning any social services reform before the next elections, but that this was nonetheless on the cards in order for the system to become financially sustainable.
Passos Coelho actually challenged the opposition PS to collaborate in the drawing up of any new system.
In the meantime, the Socialists are still busy with their ongoing internal struggles.
A televised debate on Wednesday evening, September 10, between current PS leader António José Seguro and arch-rival António Costa, currently the mayor of Lisbon, was seen by as many as 1.5 million spectators.
Polls at the weekend saw Costa the clear winner in next year’s elections.
