Portugal’s freshly inaugurated center-right minority government assumed its duties on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, stepping into the political arena amidst a landscape of challenges and prospects.
Lack of experience to be a challenge?
At the swearing-in ceremony held at Lisbon’s historic Ajuda National Palace, only one of the 17 ministers boasted prior experience at the highest echelons of government.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who pledged to form a Cabinet comprising specialists from diverse backgrounds, himself enters governmental service without prior ministerial tenure.
Montenegro, speaking in Lisbon after his swearing-in ceremony, expressed his government’s readiness for dialogue and called on opposition parties to reciprocate.
Several prominent members of the newly formed Cabinet bring extensive experience from their time in Brussels, having navigated the corridors of power within the European Union.
Among them are Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel and Defense Minister Nuno Melo, both of whom served as European lawmakers from 2009.
Portugal, with a population of 10.3 million, stands to benefit significantly from its EU membership, receiving over 22 billion euros ($23.6 billion) in funding until 2026 to stimulate growth and facilitate economic reforms.
Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, a distinguished professor at a Lisbon university, is poised to play a pivotal role in the government’s efforts to rein in historical overspending.
Prospects for Coalition in Portugal
Despite facing challenges due to the lack of a parliamentary majority, Montenegro reaffirmed his commitment to serving a full 4-year term.
While Montenegro’s AD coalition secured a narrow victory over the Socialists in the recent election, forming a majority with the far-right party Chega has been ruled out thus far.
Chega, led by Andre Ventura, gained substantial traction in the election, emerging as the third-largest political force after quadrupling its parliamentary seats.
Pedro Nuno Santos from the Socialist Party seems hesitant about backing the AD government’s budget plan for 2025 due to major policy gaps.
Chega’s Shocking Move
The Chega (Enough) party, known for its anti-establishment stance, saw a major surge in support during the recent election, winning 50 parliamentary seats compared to just 12 previously.
Chega has vowed to challenge traditional politics, as seen in its recent move to block the government’s choice for parliament speaker, causing embarrassment for Prime Minister Montenegro and his party.
Ventura, has pushed for the Social Democrats to team up with his party, aiming for a powerful right-of-center alliance.
However, Prime Minister Montenegro has rejected this proposal, opting instead to ally with the Socialists, their traditional rivals.
This compromise might become a recurring theme as Montenegro leads a minority government.
He’s focused on addressing urgent issues in public health care, like long waiting lists, and resolving disputes with police and teachers over pay and conditions.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro hopes the Socialist Party and Chega won’t team up to block the new government’s plans.
Costa: The Former PM
Former Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa, aged 62, resigned from his position unexpectedly in November amidst an investigation into alleged influence peddling within the government.
Costa, who denies any wrongdoing, announced on Tuesday that he instructed his lawyer to arrange a hearing promptly to address any concerns or suspicions that prosecutors may have.
In recent years, Costa has frequently been questioned about his potential candidacy for the role of European Council president.
When asked about his aspirations, he responded, “I’m always willing to serve Portugal, but at this moment, I believe it’s crucial to address any suspicions and ensure clarity.”
