André Ventura, the leader of the Chega party, announced this Sunday (18 October) that the party will present an “emergency legislative package” for housing, proposing to increase tax deductions, SIC News reports.

At a press conference at the Chega party's national headquarters in Lisbon, André Ventura defended the need for an understanding between the parties to approve measures that can “truly address the issues that matter regarding housing in Portugal and the major problems” of recent years.

Housing tax proposals

The Chega party will propose “a reassessment of tax benefits for those in Portugal with ample funds to buy homes,” a review of the Municipal Property Tax (IMI), and a 50 percent increase in income tax deductions related to rent and mortgage payments.

Questioned whether these proposals could potentially jeopardise the projected budget surplus for next year, André Ventura admitted that “it's worth taking the risk” of having a deficit if it means an improvement in the housing conditions of the Portuguese people, SIC News reports.

“Because it makes no sense to have a country with wealthy finances and poor people. Honestly, it makes no sense to have a country with balanced finances and people with uncertain finances every month. I think that's the calculation we need to make,” Ventura argued.

Rental law negotiations

Asked whether the package would invalidate the agreement with the PSD on changes to rental legislation, Ventura emphasised that the agreement concerned a set of amendments the Government was expected to introduce during the detailed legislative discussions, which have yet to take place.

“So far we have had no indication that the Government wants to correct this, but the process has not yet begun either,” he said, emphasising that if the executive branch “does not correct” the legislation, the changes to the tenancy law “will not pass.”

Housing protests

Regarding the housing protests and the Government’s proposed new rental law, Chega leader André Ventura warned that unless action is taken, the protests will intensify “with more force, more determination, more ambition” and gain support from other organisations, including political parties.

“It could cease to be a minority demonstration or group of demonstrations and truly become cries of dissatisfaction across society, involving associations, parties, and movements,” he considered, stressing that “Chega will fight for housing if the housing problem is not solved,” according to SIC News.

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