Criticism from Pedro Nuno Santos at the JS Youth Manifesto Presentation
The Secretary-General of the PS, Pedro Nuno Santos, has strongly criticized the AD for leveraging the middle class to secure electoral victories while ultimately governing for a minority. His remarks were made during the closing session of the JS Youth Manifesto presentation in Marvila, Lisbon, where he delivered an impassioned speech lasting over thirty minutes.
Nuno Santos stated, "Throughout its history, the PSD has always used the middle class to win elections but has consistently governed for a minority." He emphasized that they have never truly cared about the majority of citizens, particularly the overwhelming majority of young people.
He pointed out that if the AD genuinely cared for the vast majority of youth, they wouldn't have changed the Porta 65 housing support program, increasing the waiting time from two months to seven months.
Housing as a Key Issue
According to Nuno Santos, housing exemplifies a sector that has been left to the market's whims for decades in Portugal. He criticized liberal economic systems, linking them not only to the Iniciativa Liberal but also to the PSD and Chega.
He further condemned the conservative and liberal right for attempting to convince young people that they could all become multimillionaires like Elon Musk, asserting, "They try to convince that the state is an obstacle rather than a collective support for individual lives. This is where we must fight back."
The Importance of Collective Support
Addressing a young audience from JS, Nuno Santos rejected the notion that everyone could be a successful entrepreneur, saying, "No, not everyone can be Elon Musk; that’s not how life or the economy works. We all depend on each other; no one is solely self-reliant. This is our greatest battle, the most significant struggle for younger generations."
He also critiqued current government actions, arguing that the IRS Jovem, which he acknowledged was enabled by socialists in the 2024 Budget, primarily benefits higher-income youth rather than those earning €1,000 gross per month.
Attacks on Education Funding
Nuno Santos criticized adjustments to tuition fee refunds, claiming they harm most students and expressed his support for the gradual abolition of tuition fees. He highlighted cuts to funding for the Foundation for Science and Technology, deeming it a mistake since, "you cannot modernize an economy without investing in science and qualifications."
He posed a rhetorical question: "What does the AD boast about regarding its government? The first year of AD in power has seen fewer students entering universities."
In his view, this government serves a minority that uses the middle class to govern for a select few while appealing to the broader population for votes.
Voices for Inclusion
Earlier, Sofia Pereira, the Secretary-General of JS, advocated for an inclusive technological revolution and emphasized that women’s rights are human rights. She stated, "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy is a right, not a privilege," urging the youth to disregard the noise from commentators and focus on who truly supports public schooling, SNS defense, salary increases, and a more dynamic economy: Pedro Nuno Santos.
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