LISBON (Reuters) -Portugal’s opposition Socialist Party will abstain in the general vote on the centre-right minority government’s 2026 budget, which should be enough to approve the bill in its first reading on October 28, the Socialist leader said on Wednesday.

Jose Luis Carneiro said his party “will not be a factor in political instability and will be a firm, but also constructive and responsible opposition”.

Analysts had expected such a stance after a snap May parliamentary election, in which the Socialists lost many seats to come third behind far-right Chega, as a way to avoid the risk of another snap ballot that could be unpopular.

“In the general vote, we will abstain, we’ll ensure political stability in our country at this stage,” Carneiro told reporters, adding that the Socialis

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