Portugal News

LISBON, March 5 (Reuters) - Portugal's prime minister said on Wednesday he would submit his year-old minority government to a confidence motion, a move that could lead to its dismissal as the two main opposition parties have vowed to reject it.

At the centre of the political crisis that could trigger a third snap election since 2022 is a consultancy firm owned by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's family, which has made contracts with private companies that the opposition says have benefitted the premier.

Montenegro has denied any conflict of interest.

The stand of the American car manufacturer Tesla at El Corte Inglés, in Lisbon, could be the scene of a protest against the owner, Elon Musk, scheduled for March 9.

The demonstration is registered on the Tesla Takedown website, along with more than 50 protests on Saturday alone, in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom and Spain.

The Socialist Party (PS) of the opposition, and Chega, the far-right, said that they do not vote in favor of the confidence motion.

In check for receiving from private companies, Luís Montenegro is on a motion of confidence in Parliament, where, without a majority, the government can be overthrown

Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has announced that the government is on a move to present a motion of confidence in Parliament, where there is no majority.

Louis Montenegro calls for an extraordinary meeting of council of ministers. He declined to comment on wether he will leave his post and said he will communicate his decision to the country tomorrow, after analyzing "personal, professional and political conditions".

Portuguese Prime Minister PortugalLuís Montenegro faces the first major political and personal crisis since taking office in April 2024.

André Ventura shared a video as if he were from a Portuguese taxi driver, but he passed in Egypt. The taxi driver was arrested.

The video

André Ventura, leader of Chega, shared in his account of the X what would be another proof of the “uncontrolled immigration price” in Portugal. In the video, you can see a taxi driver harassing a passenger.

Foreigners make up almost ten percent of the population, but they hardly vote. The lack of participation of immigrants in electoral processes is contributing to the growth of populist anti-immigration discourses in Portugal.

Among the proposals is the reduction of the period for issuing residence visas to 30 days and new options for workers with temporary or seasonal visas.

The PS will discuss proposals in parliament this Thursday to "accelerate and create additional channels" to regularize immigrants, expecting the Government to be open and have a "constructive spirit" to prevent people from being left in limbo or in an illegal situation.

At a hearing in the Assembly of the Republic, Luís Neves said that violent crime is lower among immigrants than among nationals. He attacked the fake news that they try to create panic in Portugal.

A video went viral when he released the information that the PSP joined AIMA to do inspection actions to immigrants, and deport those who are illegal. But it's not true.

The context

At a time when the number of immigrants in Portugal and throughout Europe is growing, the problems with the regularization of those who arrive in the country and also the misinformation about this situation are increasing.

The Migration Technicians Union (STM) expressed concern on Monday about the lack of human resources at the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) and warned of the “lack of a consistent immigration policy”.

“It should be noted that, unquestionably, all matters related to AIMA employees have a direct impact on the service, reception and integration of foreign citizens who seek us out,” said the STM, in a statement.