Cape Verde Approves 2026 Revised Budget in Committee

Cape Verde's Parliament has approved the 2026 Revised Budget in a special committee session. Rosa Rocha of the PAICV party stated that the budget will enable the Executive to continue implementing its program. She attributed increased spending to the previous MpD government, accusing them of altering the budget before leaving office and asserting that the current Executive is merely addressing inherited commitments. Rocha declared, "This government courageously assumes responsibility for problems you created." Conversely, MpD deputy Celso Ribeiro questioned the budget's credibility, highlighting that it fails to clarify the origin of an expenditure increase exceeding eight billion escudos. He criticized the lack of clarity on revenue and stated that "This budget clearly says nothing about revenues." Ribeiro also accused the Executive of presenting programs without adequate financial frameworks and disputed claims that the budget reduces public spending. João Santos Luís of the UCID explained his party's abstention was in support of the state, not the PAICV. However, he criticized the absence of funds for victims of Storm Erin, which impacted São Vicente, Santo Antão, and São Nicolau in August 2025. Luís also rejected the notion of reduced public spending, asserting, "This budget increases state expenses by more than eight million contos."