Speech by the President of the Government - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

Full text of the speech delivered today by the President of the Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, in Horta, at the closing of the discussion on the Plan and Budget for 2026:

"So much has been done. So much remains to be done!

This is how the Government of the Azores presents itself to the Azoreans.

Today, we end the general debate on the Azores Budget for 2026. And in doing so, we are not just concluding a parliamentary discussion.

We are not just closing a technical process, a legislative calendar or an institutional obligation.

What we do is always a profound exercise in democracy.

This debate is, above all, a demonstration that the future of the Azores is built with strategy and consistency. But above all, with choices that can be achieved with the effective means available.

Our Region, as well as the Country and the European Union, are experiencing times that require vision, determination and a sense of history.

And I want to state this with absolute certainty: the Government of the Azores has a vision for the Autonomous Region of the Azores. A vision that is consistent, courageous and deeply rooted in the values that define us as a people. A vision that acknowledges both the needs and the unique potential of our nine islands. A vision that recognises that the unity of the Azores, built over the almost 50 years of our political autonomy, makes us stronger in our options and more determined in our choices.

A vision based on the strength of our Atlantic identity, the richness of our culture and the extraordinary resilience we have always shown over the centuries. But a vision only comes to life when it is shared with the people of the Azores. For this reason, I reiterate my confidence in the capabilities of citizens and cooperation with society, our society.

It is the people who give legitimacy to the path we have set out for the Azores.

We have had contributions from society on the proposals for the 2026 Plan and Budget, whilst understanding their concerns and demands, which are submitted for consideration and political decision-making by the Regional Government and this Legislative Assembly during the discussion and approval of the Plan and Budget.

It is impossible to meet everyone's problems or ambitions all the time. It is not possible. It is up to the Regional Government to make political choices on a budget basis, with the limited resources at our disposal.

We believe that the Azoreans support us in this decision to invest the amounts provided for in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and the Azores 2030 programme.

We are also living in a time of opportunity. A time when the Azores, due to their history and geography, are becoming even more relevant to Portugal and Europe. The size of our Exclusive Economic Zone is impressive. Our location in the North Atlantic is strategic. The strategic proximity between Europe and America makes us a bridge. The potential of the sea, space, science and new technologies give us great expectations.

The Azores can represent, more than ever, an asset for the country and the European Union, in a context marked by profound changes and uncertainties. If the Azores are a strategic asset for Portugal and the European Union, then Portugal and Europe must understand our centrality.

We need to take specific actions to enhance our natural heritage as well as our geopolitical and strategic position. We need to ensure that the added value we bring to the country and the European Union generates returns for our economy.

Our position in the Atlantic, the resources we protect, the strategic services we provide and the geopolitical relevance we represent cannot be merely regarded as advantages for others. They must be converted into investments, support, opportunities and development for the Azores.

We contribute to security, the environment, science, the economy and the international visibility of Portugal.

Therefore, it is fair, legitimate and necessary that the country and Europe reward us in proportion to the importance we have.

During our term of office, we have travelled around the islands, talking to people and institutions. We have forged a historic partnership agreement with the social partners. In every place, at every meeting, we have heard stories of effort, dedication and hardship, but also of hope.

Times are difficult in the world, in Europe and in the country. In the Region, too. We know that many families are still struggling with the cost of living.

For this reason, we have taken all possible measures. We have increased support for families. We have improved access to health care. We have kept taxes low. We have protected people's income. We have invested in people and dignified work.

The Azoreans have seen their income grow.

We have consistently maintained taxes that are 30% lower than national rates, allowing the Azorean economy, families and businesses to save more than €1 billion since the beginning of our administration until the end of the Budget for 2026.

The “Azores Fare,” which some have disagreed with, has already represented savings of €36.3 million for families and businesses. This boosts the economy and accelerates mobility. Families in the Azores, thanks to our policy of free childcare, have already saved €15.3 million during our term of office.

Under our administration, Azoreans benefiting from COMPAMID, who have seen their support increase, have already saved €31.8 million.

This was not the case before!

There is no more pressing issue for the people of the Azores than health care. It is always the most urgent of needs. As such, for 2025 and 2026, the health care budget has been increased by around €100 million. It is a lot, and yet it may still be insufficient.

For the modernisation of hospitals and health centres. For the recruitment and recognition of our health professionals. For the improvement of working conditions. For the reinforcement of responses in the most isolated islands.

We want every Azorean to have fast, dignified and humane access to health care. Health is, and will always be, an unwavering priority for us.

We know that the Azoreans are also concerned about housing, namely the difficulties in accessing housing, especially for young people starting their lives. No family can build a future without a safe place to call home.

The lack of affordable housing threatens people's dignity and compromises young people's life plans. For this reason, we are increasing funding and support programmes for housing, which will now amount to €66 million.

Housing policy falls within a strategy to keep people on our islands, helping to counter depopulation and ageing. In fact, policies should not be about numbers. They should be about lives. No region that aims to grow leaves anyone behind.

We have modernised schools, supported disadvantaged students and acknowledged the importance of teachers. We have reflected on the future of youth, employment and skills. We have strengthened support for the elderly, families and children.

We maintain a tax system conducive to economic growth and income.

Each of these measures is an annual budget event. They are not measures from the past, even though we were the ones who took them in the past. They are always present and have a budget impact every year. They were new at the beginning of our administration. But they accompany every budget, every year, in terms of commitment and expenditure.

The facts are undeniable.

The Azorean economy is transforming. It is growing, diversifying and modernising. We want economic growth with social justice, territorial balance and environmental responsibility. We are committed to innovation, energy transition, new technologies, and the promotion of agriculture, fisheries and sustainable tourism. We are also committed to something even greater: the strategic role of the Azores in the new global context.

Our immense Exclusive Economic Zone, our connection to space and science, and our geostrategic position in the North Atlantic. All this makes the Azores a unique platform, an outpost of Portugal in the world. We are a laboratory of the future.

Rare are the moments when a region can undergo structural transformation. This is one of them.

The RRP and the Azores 2030 programme represent €550 million for 2026. A budget of determination and hope. It is an opportunity to continue the modernisation of our islands.

Strengthening cohesion. Training people and transforming our economic model.

History will look back on this moment. We will be on the right side of that history.

The debate we have had here over these three days has shown a lively, demanding and participatory Autonomy.

We will continue to work with everyone: institutions, local authorities, parties and citizens. Together, we have expanded what is important to everyone: hope. We are sometimes told that politics is too cynical, too harsh and too cold for hope to still flourish. But, with the Azoreans, we want to prove the opposite every day.

Hope is alive because the Azoreans build it. Hope is alive because we have ambition. Better health. More housing. More social responses. Lower living costs. Better income. More opportunities for our young people.

We refuse to allow the negativity of some to paralyse us all, or the dissension promoted by some to weaken us.

Realistically, we know that it is impossible to think that everything has been done well and completed. It has not, and it cannot be done at any time or in any place. But the continuity of those who do well ensures that things are done well.

Hearing those who have done less, despite having had more time to do so, say that everything is bad now, further discredits those who criticise and, above all, commends those who do better.

This Government is comfortable with facts and results.

The Government has listed, with great articulation and clarity, what it has done and what is currently underway. And that bothers some, who only talk about what they wanted to see done, but did not do.

In 2020, during my inauguration speech as President of the XIII Government of the Azores, I quoted Francisco Sá Carneiro: “We do not fear risks, nor do we fear hope. Strength is forged in struggle, steadfastness in the fight for principles, courage in facing crisis.”

To the Azoreans, I want to say: the President of the Government remains determined to make the Azores a better place to pass on to our children, always defending the Azores and the Azorean people.

We are a people who, throughout history, have always turned adversity into strength. The times we live in are very difficult. But we fight storms with resilience. We respond to remoteness with identity. We want the Azores to be a symbol of the future. With confidence. With hope. And together we will continue to build a stronger, fairer, more prosperous and more humane Region.

The Azores have a future. The Azores are an opportunity.

So much has been done. So much remains to be done!"