Lisbon, Sept. 28, 2021 (Lusa) – The prime minister on Tuesday ruled out any reshuffle in his government following Sunday's local council election results, countering that reshuffles will happen among mayors, but was enigmatic when he said that "refreshing" happens with the winter period.

"I thought that the issue of the Government reshuffle had been clarified and overcome in July. There is no reshuffle planned. The only reshuffle that the local elections determined is the reshuffle of the mayors", he said.

On this issue, the leader of the Executive reinforced "that there is no reshuffle in the Government as a result of local elections".

Minutes later, however, still in response to questions from journalists, António Costa was asked if he could not make "a refreshment" of his executive.

The prime minister then said the following: "Naturally, autumn will start to cool the climate".

"The winter will cool the weather a bit more. And when the weather cools down we all cool down. But for now, let us focus on what is essential: as far as I am concerned, it is on October 11 to have to present in Parliament a proposal for the State Budget for 2022," he said.

António Costa said he hoped that this Budget proposal, like the previous ones, has the conditions to be approved.

"A Budget that serves the country and the economic recovery effort. That is what we have to work for and will continue to work for," he added.

PMF/AYLS // AYLS

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