Baldwin—Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, has stated he is “very calm” regarding his family’s real estate company and will address the issue during the parliamentary debate on a motion of censure.
"There is a motion of censure that has been tabled, which deals with this matter, and I will provide all clarifications in parliament," he said in response to journalists at the Portuguese Embassy in Brasilia on Wednesday, referencing a previous statement.
Montenegro affirmed his calmness, stating he will fulfill his duty with integrity and respect.
He expressed confidence that parliamentarians and the public would understand his position when he addresses them directly.
When questioned about why he hadn’t clarified the situation sooner, he reiterated his intention to provide explanations in parliament next Friday.
Journalists inquired whether clarifying the situation was in the best interest of Portugal, given his past involvement with the company now managed by his wife and children.
Montenegro repeated that he would address the matter in parliament, adding, "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… Next Friday I will be in parliament and I will provide the representatives of the Portuguese people with all the clarifications they ask of me."
The Prime Minister asserted he has always been willing to offer explanations, and when asked about his silence on other issues, he responded, "I have been working every day for the sake of the quality of life of the Portuguese, for the sake of the future of the Portuguese.”
He then suggested, “These issues are often not exactly what concerns the Portuguese women and men sitting at the table at home.”
Montenegro expressed his belief that the Portuguese public would understand his approach, maintaining, "I’ve never shied away from answering anything and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
Upon arriving in Brasilia for the 14th Luso-Brazilian Summit, Montenegro posted on social media (X) that he would not discuss domestic political matters during the trip, deferring to the censure debate upon his return.
The Correio da Manhã newspaper reported that Spinumviva, Montenegro’s family company, “could benefit from the change to the land law approved by the government,” potentially creating a conflict of interest given his marital connection to the firm’s main partner.
In response, Montenegro denied any conflict of interest, stating he hasn’t been a partner since June 30, 2022, and that the company’s activities are unrelated to the land law amendment.
André Ventura, leader of the Chega Party, initially threatened a motion of censure if Montenegro didn’t provide an explanation, a motion that was subsequently submitted and will be debated Friday.
Ventura further stated the company is based at Montenegro’s residence in Espinho and urged the President to assess the Prime Minister’s fitness for office.
Although not directly involved in the motion, Pedro Nuno Santos, secretary-general of the Socialist Party (PS), drew parallels between this situation and the resignation of a former secretary of state and urged Montenegro to provide explanations “as soon as possible.”
(Inês Escobar Lima | Lusa.pt)
