Portugal's Left Parties Criticize Government's Single Social Benefit Scheme

The coordinator of Portugal's Left Bloc, José Manuel Pureza, accused the government of copying the far‑right Chega party's agenda in its proposal to create a single, universal social benefit (Prestação Social Única). The plan would merge 13 existing non‑contributory payments into one scheme, requiring beneficiaries to perform up to 15 hours of unpaid social work per week and risking termination of benefits for non‑compliance. Pureza labelled the proposal “social cruelty,” saying it aims to lower benefit levels and impose “hyper‑vigilant” monitoring of recipients. He pledged that the Left Bloc will focus its parliamentary work on opposing the most burdensome aspects of the plan. The government approved the revision in cabinet, presenting it as a measure to combat poverty traps and curb abuse, while Chega’s leader André Ventura indicated his party could support the scheme if other parties accept restrictions on aid to immigrants.