The parliamentary leader of PS-M, Paulo Cafôfo, stressed the need for a fairer distribution of wealth in Madeira, warning about rising inequalities and the financial struggles of families due to the cost of living.
Cafôfo pointed out the mismatch between average incomes in Madeira (87 euros lower than the mainland average, with a median of 1,116 euros) and housing prices, citing the rental cost of an 80 sqm apartment in Funchal at around 1,300 euros. He criticized the regional economic model, noting that rents have risen more than wages in the last decade and that GDP has increased significantly more than incomes.
The socialist proposed building more affordable public housing and implementing a rent-to-own scheme, challenging the Regional Government to accept these and other measures, such as reducing VAT and achieving fiscal neutrality on fuel. He criticized the lack of political will and the focus on revenue collection, concluding by advocating for "democratic alternation" to transform reality and improve the lives of Madeirans.
