The PS secretary-general accused the regional government of carrying out what he called the 'most blatant attack' since 1976 on the autonomy of Madeira and the Azores, linking the dispute to recent changes in the Subsídio Social de Mobilidade. The row follows regional demands and prior local protests over eligibility conditions for the mobility subsidy. Expats living in or doing business with the autonomous regions should monitor any changes to regional benefits and transport subsidies that could affect travel costs and local services.