PS Azores officially opened the campaign period for the legislative elections on March 10th with “eyes set on the future” with a lunch with young people in São Miguel. Access to education and housing were two of the main issues.
“We want to continue our mission of guaranteeing conditions for young people to grow up and fight for a future that matches
their ambitions, deepening the measures implemented and making them fairer and comprehensive,” said Francisco César.
The head of the PS Azores list for the elections to for the Assembly of the Republic gave examples of concrete measures that the project led by Pedro Nuno Santos proposes: “the IRS Jovem, which translates into the exemption from paying IRS in the first
year of employment and gradual reductions in the first four years.” The measure is only for those who complete
higher education. Still, the Socialist Party wants to extend it to all those entering the job market, regardless of
their level of education. There are also specific proposals for Higher Education, starting with
investment in institutions. The PS Açores stresses the importance of continuing along the lines of the previous
legislature, with the application of to the University of the Azores, given its remoteness. Of particular significance to the
Azoreans is the proposal to extend support for accommodation for displaced students by increasing the amount currently allocated and reinforcing residences.“

We are making the biggest investment ever in university residences. By the end of 2026, they will probably double, there will be 30,000 beds in the country,” predicts Francisco César, adding that the aim is to make these places accessible to more students with a change in

criteria. “To have access to
residences, it will be enough to be a displaced student, regardless of whether scholarships or social support,” he explains.
Social support”, he explains. By opening the doors to housing, the party also wants to support young people who want to buy their first home, with the State providing a guarantee on housing loans, thus circumventing one of the biggest obstacles
to take this first step.

PS wants Lusa free of charge

Rádio Atlântida, in São Miguel, was the venue for a meeting between socialists and broadcasters yesterday morning.
The socialist candidates listened to the concerns of those working in the sector
They recognized the importance of the Statecontinue to invest at various levels,
highlighting “the importance of looking differentiated approach to local
media”. The PS has plans for the next four years, including proposals that “seek to respond to the concerns of the sector, namely those related to the recent change to the Radio Law. Although it has recently been revised, we are available to revise the law so that media, especially local radio stations, has the possibility of an incentive framework that is more favorable,” says the head of the list for the constituency of the Azores.”The Socialist Party “was the only one” to see its proposal was approved in the
budget for 2024 “to reinforce the state’s incentives for the media, a path it wants to continue to follow, especially
modernization of digital and technological means. It also proposes giving free access to the services of LusaPortuguese News Agency for media, something that “could particularly benefit small local media outlets. In line with the demands,
the PS also wants to review some matters, such as the payment of copyright and the distribution of institutional
and broadcasting rights.

in Correio dos A;cores–Natalino Viveiros, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno–PBBI thanks the sponsorship of the Luso-American Development Foundation from Lisbon, Portugal (FLAD)