The row continues over bullfighting it Portugal after the VAT rate on tickets to other cultural shows is to be reduced next year, from 13% to the lowest rate of 6%, thus aggravating pro-bullfighting MPs, even those in the ruling Socialist Party.
The new culture minister, Graca Fonseca, refused to cut VAT on tickets to events in line with other cultural shows, stating that, “It is a matter of civilisation.”
The bullfighting lobby insists that bullfighting in Portugal is more humane than, for example in Spain, as the animals are killed out of sight of spectators.
The head of the Socialist parliamentary party, Carlos Cesar, said that the party had agreed to include bullfighting to the list of events for which VAT would be reduced in the 2019 State Budget.
Socialist, Manuel Alegre, said that Graça Fonseca’s attitudes “place democracy at risk.”
The Prime Minister, António Costa, said he was surprised by Carlos Cesar’s move to alter VAT plans in the 2019 draft budget, stating in the Público newspaper that, “I prefer to think that civilisations also distinguish themselves by the way they treat animals.”
The PM now is anti-bullfighting, despite being a supporter earlier in his political career, but skilfully has devolved the licensing of bullfighting events to local Councils rather than initiating a national debate as he is likely to end up on the losing side.
The last debate on banning bullfighting, held in June this year, received support from only eight Socialist MPs.
António Costa has allowed a free vote on the matter, saying he is "very satisfied" that MPs "could be free to vote on the Government proposal." This, almost certainly, will see the VAT rate lowered for bullight tickets.
