Africa-Press – Cape verde. The State Budget presented by the Government marks the end of 10 years of governance and is a document that exposes belated promises and lacks strategic vision, the PAICV accused today at a press conference.
According to the spokesperson for the parliamentary group of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV, opposition), Julião Varela, it is a budget designed more to survive until the elections than to transform the country, which “hides the real country” and points to a future of austerity.
Julião Varela was speaking to journalists at the presentation of the balance of the parliamentary sessions held within the framework of the second plenary session of November, which takes place on the 26th, 27th and 28th, and whose agenda includes the discussion and approval in detail of the draft law approving the State Budget for the 2026 fiscal year (OE2026).
The parliamentarian warned of “significant cuts” in several items of the State Budget, starting with an 8% reduction in the acquisition of goods and services (1.5 million escudos less), 7% in subsidies (150 million escudos) and 9% in other expenses (456 million).
“Therefore, a budget with significant cuts, economic matters have a 5 percent cut (%), housing and human development a 14% cut, social and environmental protection a 23% cut, cultural and religious services an 8% cut, and general public services a 10% cut,” he specified.
The same source also stated that the most serious issue relates to the public investment budget, which has been cut by around 38%, or 6.3 million escudos less, resulting in the “lowest amount ever” allocated to investment in Cape Verde, at a time when the country is facing “critical problems” in the energy, water, and transport sectors.
According to Julião Varela, the 2026 State Budget presented by the government supported by the Movement for Democracy (MpD, in power) is also a budget of “empty announcements of major works,” including the Porto Novo airport, the reference hospital for Cape Verde, the Fogo ring road, the cruise terminal in Praia, and the lighting of the São Filipe and Boa Vista airports.
Meanwhile, Julião Varela stated that the PAICV will suggest alternative proposals, including a general increase in salaries, hoping for the executive’s willingness to accept them. He assured that if this does not happen, the proposals will be accepted by Cape Verdeans through platforms that will be presented in the coming days. According to the deputy, his party will also propose a review of the social pension, a reduction in the tax burden on individuals, and an update to the IUR (Income Tax) table, as well as a proposal to reduce VAT on water and energy.
For More News And Analysis About Cape verde Follow Africa-Press
