According to the newspaper Diário Insular, the largest budget ever for the Azorean Parliament is proposed for 2026 and will be discussed this September. It exceeds €17.7 million. Personnel expenses represent a €873,000 increase compared to the approved budget for 2025 (proposal available at www.alra.pt).

Personnel expenses amount to €11.3 million, comprising €3 million for the salaries of the 57 deputies, €4 million for the wages of civil servants, €2 million for social security contributions, €1 million for vacation and Christmas bonuses, and €570,000 for representation expenses, according to the proposal.

“This increase reflects the update of the remuneration base and the remuneration values of civil servants, as well as the update of the value of allowances and the progressive increase in the guaranteed minimum monthly remuneration,” according to the note justifying the proposal. This year, there had already been a supplementary budget, which allowed the previous year’s management balance to be included in the accounts, causing total expenses to rise from €15.4 million to €16.9 million.

“If there is an update to the staffing tables of parliamentary groups and representations, or if there is any change in staff on secondment, it may be necessary to increase the funds for personnel expenses,” according to the explanatory note, which does not rule out the possibility of a new supplementary budget. The proposal provides for an increase of €363,000 in subsidies paid to parliamentary parties, which will bring the total to exceed €2.3 million.

Lifetime subsidies paid to former members of parliament who are now retired will increase by €93,000 to a maximum of €1.8 million. The acquisition of goods and services and capital expenditures for construction work and equipment purchases are also planned. Support for parliamentary activity is covered by €1.6 million, while €950,000 is earmarked for travel and accommodation, €205,000 for communications, and €130,000 for facility costs.

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço, director.

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