This will be the first debate of this legislative session with António Costa present, at a time when the Government, PCP, PEV, Left Bloc and PAN are still far from concluding the negotiation process for the proposed 2022 State Budget for.

As noted on Wednesday by the Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Duarte Cordeiro, on the part of the Government, the negotiating process of the Budget with these political forces (and with the two non-registered deputies) should continue until the proposal is voted on.

In political terms, over the past few days, the Prime Minister has referred to the next year as one of economic and social recovery, but at the same time pointing out that the approval of the State Budget for 2022 is essential to continue this recovery.

Regarding the course of budget negotiations with the PS's parliamentary partners, António Costa was “optimistic” in relation to yet another approval of the Budget on the left and with the PAN.

An optimism that, however, was contested by the Left Bloc, claiming that its main demands have not yet been answered by the executive, and that is also not shared by the PCP party that last year was fundamental for the viability of the 2021 Budget.

Faced with these demarcation positions of two of the PS's left-wing partners in parliament, the prime minister insisted on Wednesday in his position of optimism and opted for him also to leave warnings, especially to the Left Bloc.

Speaking to journalists in Slovenia, António Costa not only reiterated his confidence in an agreement, but also said he hoped that this year will not be like last year, when the Left Bloc “refrained from contributing positively to the Budget, having voted on the right side”.

On a strictly political level, the debate on general policy this Thursday takes place a week after the controversy surrounding the intention of Defense Minister João Gomes Cravinho to exonerate the Navy's Chief of Staff, Mendes Calado, replacing him with the Vice Admiral Gouveia e Melo – a process that was carried out by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who is responsible, under the terms of the law, for the dismissal and appointment of military leaders.

The debate also takes place ten days after the municipal elections of September 26, in which the PS won in number of chambers and votes, but lost the Lisbon municipality and registered a fall in most of the main urban centers. relative strengthening of PSD positions at national level.

Asked about the signs of wear and tear on his executive, António Costa ruled out any short-term reshuffling of his Government, but also suggested that in winter “everyone refreshes”.