These hearings revealed democratic maturity and demonstrated that, above political and institutional differences, there is a shared commitment to the future of the Azores,” said José Manuel Bolieiro at the end of the round of hearings with political parties and social partners on the preparation of the Draft Regional Plan and Budget for 2026.

The hearings took place over two days this week at the Sant’Ana Palace in São Miguel and involved the regional secretary for Finance, Planning, and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas. The leader of the Azorean executive listened to all the political forces with seats in parliament, as well as a group of entities representing civil society, including trade unions, economic associations, and social solidarity institutions. The President expressed his satisfaction with the contributions received and highlighted “the atmosphere of responsibility that marked the meetings.”

José Manuel Bolieiro said that the Regional Plan and Budget for 2026 will have a strategic dimension, based on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which ends on August 31, 2026, and “the full use” of funds from the Azores 2030 program. Together, these instruments represent more than €600 million in investment, “aimed at boosting the economy and creating better living conditions for the Azoreans.”

CRITERIA TO BE MET

“Without losing sight of budgetary discipline,” José Manuel Bolieiro assured that the Region “will continue to meet the Maastricht criteria, ensuring a deficit of less than 3% and public debt below 60% of Gross Domestic Product.”

“We will not make this budget a document of austerity. Rather, it will be a moment of consolidation of the social rights already acquired and of strengthening confidence in the Region’s public finances,” said José Manuel Bolieiro.

The president of the Regional Government left a call for political responsibility, which he considered essential. “Stability is essential so that the Azores do not waste this unique opportunity. We need a budget that allows us to carry out the planned investments and respond to the challenges of our society,” he said. “We cannot live on twelfths for the year 2026. We would be compromising all of that, and compromising all of that is no small matter. It is extremely serious,” said José Manuel Bolieiro.

The Draft Regional Plan and Budget for 2026 will be reviewed by the Government Council on September 29, before being submitted to social partners and island councils. The discussion and vote will take place in November in the Regional Legislative Assembly.

The Secretary of Finance, Duarte Freitas, has already said that the current proposal, which aims to exhaust EU funds, will be followed in 2027 by “a much smaller investment plan.”

In Dário Insular, José Lourenço-director