By Sergio Goncalves

LISBON, (Reuters) – Portugal’s Socialist government may be in danger of collapsing after six years under minority rule. The administration’s ex-hard-left allies have threatened to vote against the budget for 2022 later this week.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa appealed Monday to “common sense”, warning of the need for a budget that heavily depends on EU pandemic recovery funding, and urging citizens not only to vote, but also to dissolve parliament immediately, two years earlier than planned.

The government of Prime Minister Antonio Costa has 108 seats within the 230-seat Parliament. It needs nine more lawmakers to vote no during Wednesday’s first round.

Although ultimatums and horse-trading last-minute haven’t prevented previous Socialist budgets being approved, analysts say that the margin for maneuver has decreased.

Jeronimo De Sousa, a Communist leader, said Monday that his 10 legislators would vote against him. He accused the government of not listening to their demands and warned that they do not fear electoral battles.

Reporters were told by him that they had reached their limit after months of negotiations. “Only a miracle would have changed our vote against this budget,” he said.

Catarina Martins, leader of the Left Bloc, said that she was open to negotiations until Wednesday. However, the 19-seat party would vote against budget if the government did not accept some of the proposals.

Ex-allies of the Socialists claim the government is too intent on cutting deficits.

They want more workers’ benefits, protections, and better social security systems.

Premier Costa stated that his government will never tolerate damage to Portugal’s hard-earned external credibility.

Antonio Costa Pinto, a political scientist, said that rationality would suggest the two left-leaning parties will allow the budget to be passed. They have lost several elections in the past, however, their ideology was not compatible with the Socialists.

He said, “Everything seems point towards the end of a circle.”

The bill would allow income tax to be cut for middle-class people and increase public investment. In addition, it would reduce the deficit by 3.2% of gross national product (from 4.3% in 2021).