The Azores Economic and Social Council (CESA) advocates “increased investment” in areas such as poverty and education in its proposed Plan and Budget analysis. Yesterday, the CESA’s opinion was unanimously approved.

Piedade Lalanda, who heads the body, told reporters that schooling in the Azores “still does not reach the population at the desired levels” and pointed out that poverty is at the highest level in the country. “This dimension of the structural factors of our development, which still needs increased investment, is something that concerns us from the point of view of the framework of this Plan and Budget,” she said.

School dropout rates are one of the issues that concern Lalanda, who is also attentive to the lack of housing. The president of CESA does not agree with the reduction in funds allocated to agriculture and fisheries, but highlights the increase in gross domestic product and the reduction in the unemployment rate.

The preliminary proposal for the Azores Plan 2026 is €990.9 million, €172 million more than in 2025. The document forecasts 2% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Debt could reach €150 million. The proposed Plan and Budget will be discussed in parliament in November.

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço-director.

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