Costa said that his government had also headed in the opposite direction and reduced taxes because “as promised, the IRS surcharge is totally or partially eliminated and the VAT rate reduced for restaurants."

Indeed, the prime minister kept to an upbeat tone hailing not only the return to “constitutional normality” but also the removal of the threat hanging over the earnings of workers and pensioners.

"The Portuguese are going to pay less taxation this year than they paid last year” said Costa describing the taxation proposals as involving “the redistribution of fiscal efforts in a fairer fashion.”

There was also no regret over the raising of indirect taxes, in particular those on tobacco, fuel duties, vehicle purchases and the contracting of credits and loans.

"This is a fairer option from the fiscal point of view and coherent with the promotion of healthcare and environmental sustainability and acting as a disincentive to imports and indebtedness," said Costa.

The prime minister also used his opening parliamentary address to tout the measures he said his government had taken in order to boost economic growth and exemplifying through reference to the return of the Simplex government reform program, setting up a company capitalisation unit and Plan 100 to accelerate the awarding of European Union funding that Costa said had fast-tracked €80 million to companies in his first 80 days in office.