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Bloco de Esquerda economic and energy policy advocacy

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2026-10-03 16:54 UTC → 2026-10-19 16:57 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Bloco de Esquerda (BE) political party has focused its recent activities on addressing rising costs and economic management in Portugal. In the Azores, the party requested a parliamentary inquiry into the costs of fuel oil used for electricity production. This request follows reports that the Açores Electricity Company (EDA) recorded 8.9 million euros in losses in 2025 due to fuel costs. The BE highlighted a potential conflict of interest involving BENCOM, a company within the Bensaude Group that is the sole fuel oil supplier to EDA and holds a 39% stake in the utility. The inquiry seeks to examine an 8.5 million euro compensation transfer from the Energy Services Regulatory Entity (ERSE) to EDA, which was reportedly conditional on increasing market competition. Broadening its scope to national issues, BE coordinator José Manuel Pureza accused the Montenegro administration of favoring large capital over citizens. Pureza criticized the government for failing to address the rising cost of living, specifically regarding housing, groceries, and fuel. To mitigate these pressures, the party has proposed measures such as fuel price controls, rent caps, reducing VAT on essential goods, and limiting the profit margins of the state-owned bank, Caixa Geral de Depósitos. In October 2026, Pureza challenged Prime Minister Montenegro to withdraw a legislative proposal regarding rental laws approved by the PSD and Chega. During a visit to an affordable housing project in Benfica, Lisbon, Pureza argued the proposal could lead to “unlimited rent increases” and negatively impact the dignity of citizens, asserting that the public has already rejected the initiative. In Madeira, the party has extended these demands to the Regional Government, criticizing the PSD-CDS executive for perceived passivity against inflation. Following meetings with citizens, BE called for the use of regional financial autonomy to implement a 30% VAT reduction, price controls on energy and essential goods to prevent speculation, and stricter housing market regulations to limit short-term local accommodations.

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