IL/Açores admits to voting against the 2027 Budget

Nuno Barata, leader of the Liberal Initiative in the Azores, expressed intentions to vote against the 2027 Regional Budget, citing insufficient investment and lack of innovation in the proposals. He criticized the ruling parties, PS and Chega, for their complicity in approving budgets that prioritize state intervention over sustainable development. Barata emphasized that the proposed budget indicates a continuing trend of rising expenses and debt, projecting a deficit of over 263 million euros for the upcoming year. He believes that the current regional government, led by José Manuel Bolieiro, is failing to address the region's financial challenges and is leaving a legacy of debt. The budget discussion is set to take place this month in Horta.