Carlos César was speaking at the opening of a field day for Socialist deputies in Moura, in Beja district, to discuss policy, in a long address in which he made several references to the state budget for next year.
“It is an appreciation that we hope will be concluded as fast as possible, and that it will be marked by convergence and by the indispensable sense of responsibility that is involved in this dialogue,” he said.
“Another thing that is not expected of the parties -which certainly are proud of the results of these three years of government activity, not least because the PS has not diverted from its path -is a return to a regime of isolation and a lack of influence in Portuguese politics.”
That was a reference to the Left Bloc, Communist party and Greens, which have in recent weeks been increasingly critical of certain aspects of government policy, despite the supply-and-confidence agreements they all signed with the PS.