Social Democrat deputy Brício Araújo accused JPP leader Élvio Sousa of "seeking, as always, to confuse the Madeiran people." During an address at the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, Araújo stated that "in this house, the truth must be spoken."
The Social Democrat questioned the feasibility of a zero VAT request, explaining that Madeira has already exhausted its fiscal differential on essential goods, which already have the lowest rate in the country. According to Araújo, approving zero VAT would be an exclusive competence of the Republic.
Araújo also mentioned the ongoing fiscal reduction in the region, which has depleted the fiscal differential in personal and corporate income tax. As a counterpoint to the JPP's discourse, the deputy cited the reality of Santa Cruz, a municipality governed by JPP, where the IRS refund is lower than the maximum possible and where a municipal surcharge is applied to companies.
