Costa rejects Galamba’s resignation and opens conflict with Marcelo

Prime Minister António Costa did not accept João Galamba’s resignation and apologized to the Portuguese for the “unfortunate incident that took place at the Ministry of Infrastructure”. António Costa’s decision is a clear challenge to the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebel de Sousa, who has declared that there are no conditions for Joao Galamba to remain in government.

“I understand that any failure is not related to him personally. This unfortunate incident, unfortunate in every sense, is associated exclusively and exclusively with those who, when fired, acted violently against other people,” says António Costa.

We will remind, on Friday it became known about the acquittal of former deputy Galamba Federico Pinheiro. According to the former assistant minister of infrastructure, Joao Galamba tried to withhold information from the TAP commission of inquiry.

On this occasion, António Costa refers to the fact that “he has clear evidence of the minister’s commitment to fully transparent cooperation with the Commission of Inquiry.”

“Intelligence was not given any order. What to do if a computer containing sensitive information is stolen. intelligence services, but even if they were, this responsibility would not be on the one who filed the complaint, but on the one who is responsible for the intelligence services, ultimately on me, ”adds the prime minister on the work of information services regarding the theft of a computer by a former deputy.

António Costa met with Marcelo Rebelo de Souza on Tuesday afternoon, where he informed him of his decision not to accept Joao Galamba’s resignation. “This is my decision, for which I am responsible,” says the prime minister.

“It was much easier for me to accept the resignation of Joao Galamba, but in good conscience I could not accept it,” he adds.

Asked by reporters if he felt pressured to fire João Galamba, António Costa says he didn’t feel pressure, adding that “whoever the prime minister is, he can’t go with the flow.” I think it would be a violation of my conscience. and dances of populism [caso aceitasse a demissão]” says Antonio Costa.

Reaction of the President of the Republic

The President of the Republic declares that he does not agree with the decision of António Costa, who did not accept the resignation of Joao Galamba.

Reaction of the Liberal Initiative

Rui Rocha of the Liberal Initiative says António Costa started a “very serious institutional conflict” by trying to “put Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa up against the wall.”

PAN reaction

“The government is a hostage to itself and its absolute majority,” says the PAN.

PCP reaction

“What harms the country is the government’s initiatives,” says the parliamentary leader of the PKP. Paul Santos.

Reaction Enough

“Interestingly, the prime minister is mentally healthy, balanced. The whole country knows that [João Galamba] there was not enough truth,” says Andre Ventura.

Reaction of the left block

“We have a discredited government because we have ministers who lie. The Prime Minister decided to spend time that the country does not have,” says Katarina Martins.

free reaction

“In all honesty, I don’t think this is good for the country. Because of the lack of leadership, things come to this point,” says Rui Tavares.

PSD reaction

This Tuesday, the SDP accused the government of “drift, without effective leadership” and of “self-degradation”. For the PSD leadership, António Costa’s statement “proves that this government has turned its back on the country and institutions,” the statement said.