The announcement came as the Council of Ministers approved Wednesday a contingent budget to cover January and February 2019 state expenses to mitigate any budgetary approval delays.

Announcing the decision, Fidelis Magalhães, the Parliamentary Minister of Legislative Reform, said the contingent funds could be used this month.

Magalhães said the contingency budget was in accordance with Article 4/2013 / III, 7 that stipulates if an annual budget is delayed a contingent budget can be activated.

Lobo said the carryover from 2018 budget would ensure that the “engine of the country would run smoothly” over the next two months.