In a very tense atmosphere, marked by crossed accusations, political persecution and possible traffic of interest, but also suspensions of debate and attempts at last-minute negotiations, the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic rejected, Tuesday, March 11, the vote of confidence to which the Prime Minister was submitted, Luis Montenegro (Social Democratic Party, PSD, Center right). Consequently, the President of the Republic, the conservative Marcelo de Sousa, should quickly convene, probably for the month of May, new anticipated legislative elections. The fourth in five years.
Elected in March 2024, Mr. Montenegro has faced, for a month, the revelations published in the Portuguese press on the contracts of his company providing legal services with private companies depending on concessions granted by the State, such as casinos and hotels. In the past three weeks, he has not escaped two censorship motions posted against his government only thanks to the abstention of the Socialist Party (PS). One emanated from the far -right party Chega (February 21), the other, from the Communist Party (March 5). Nothing obliged him, however, to submit to a vote of confidence of the Parliament. While his group has 80 of the hemicycle 230 seats, he could not ignore that the vote was almost lost in advance.
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Source: Lemonde