Montenegro believes that the government “disturbed the balance of power” and tarnished the anniversary of the PS

The PSD President felt that the PS government this Wednesday had dealt an ax to the constitutional balance of power in Portugal by refusing to accept the Parliament’s decision and tarnished the PS’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

At the beginning of the Lisbon District Assembly, Luis Montenegro returned to the topic of the government’s refusal to provide the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on TAP with legal documentation that justified the dismissal of the CEO and “Chairman” for a good reason. companies, arguing that this request goes beyond the scope of the commission and “protects the public interest.”

The SDP chairman even began his speech by congratulating the PS, “the founding party of democracy”, for its half-century history – with the applause of the hall – but quickly turned to criticism.

“This day is also special because this memory of the history and political activities of the PS has been marred by an attitude contrary to the historical parchments of the function of the PS (…) In its 50 years of existence, the PS has dealt a blow to our constitutional system. “, he accused.

For Montenegro, “by interfering in the decisions of the Assembly of the Republic”, the government “distorts, does not respect, violates the norms of the Constitution” and the functioning of parliamentary investigations.

The SDP leader once again asked if there was a legal opinion substantiating a good reason for the dismissal of TAP officials, saying that there is only “yes or no, no fools” in this matter.

“There were reductions on March 6, on April 6 the PSD asked a question [sobre os fundamentos jurídicos]. No answer has been given, but there seems to be a decision by the General Directorate of Treasury and Finance and Parpública to model the argument that there is a good reason. And do you know when it is? Since April 12,” he said, referring to the news published today by Jornal Económico.

When the SDP KPI deputies were in the front row of the hall where the District Assembly was held, in Amadora, the SDP leader concluded: “He left on March 6, there was no answer to the question asked on April 6, but on the 12th, arguments in favor of dismissal , which was made on March 6, began to be built,” he criticized.

Montenegro expressed hope that “in the next few hours the government will give up its position and its arguments”, warning that “it is impossible to wait a few days while António Costa seeks additional opinions”.

“I urge PS to forget the polls for a while, and common sense to leave the pavilion of Carlos Lopez. [onde decorreu o jantar de aniversário do PS] and can radiate to Largo do Rato and inspire PS leaders,” Montenegro wished, calling for an end to “usual boasting” and establishing the truth before the moment when it harms the PS and members of its government.” .

In his speech, which lasted about 40 minutes, the SDP leader reviewed the main areas of governance and emphasized that the party had submitted concrete proposals on many of them, some of which were even subsequently used by the government.

“When they say that we are not ready or do not present alternatives, this is just a distraction. It is one thing to decide that there is no need to interrupt the legislature, another thing is not to be able to determine what is in front of everyone, “he believed.

Luis Montenegro cited as an example the party’s scathing criticism of how the government had originally updated pensions for 2023, given that “it was the PSD” that forced the executive to “recognize and return” by announcing a temporary increase for pensioners and those refurbished from July.

“I say to the Portuguese: if we are already doing all this in opposition, imagine what we can do when we are in government,” he said.