Former European Commissioner António Vitorino has criticized Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, accusing him of being "in the mud" and dragging the PSD, the Government, and now the country into the ongoing political crisis. His comments come as Portugal braces for a crucial confidence vote that could lead to early elections on May 11 or May 18, as announced by the President of the Republic.
Speaking in Vila Nova de Gaia, ahead of a conference on immigration, Vitorino declined to comment on whether the current crisis could have been avoided. However, he emphasized that elections remain a legitimate mechanism for resolving political deadlock.
"In a democracy, dialogue between political parties is fundamental. If there is an impasse or an irreducible situation, elections are a way to find a solution," Vitorino stated, adding that his greater concern lies with the day after the elections and whether Portugal can achieve stability.
Meanwhile, the Government faces a decisive motion of confidence in Parliament next Tuesday, which is expected to fail due to opposition votes from PS and Chega. If the motion is rejected, the Government will be forced to resign, making way for snap elections.
The crisis stems from allegations involving Montenegro’s family business, Spinumviva, which raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. As pressure mounted, Montenegro attempted to regain political ground, declaring that "Portugal must not become a country covered in mud." However, Socialist Party leader Pedro Nuno Santos fired back, asserting that Montenegro himself is already in the "mud" and dragging the entire country with him.
With Portugal potentially heading to the polls in just two months, the political landscape remains uncertain, with stability and governance at stake.