Marcelo warns Costa but does nothing

After an hour-long conversation with António Costa in Belém, the President of the Republic publicly “pulled the ear” of the Prime Minister and the entire government and promised to redouble his vigilance against the actions of the executive branch. Calling himself “the last fuse of political security”, Marcelo warned that he would do everything to prevent “a situation that no one wants (the dissolution of the Assembly and the calling of early elections)”.

Assuming that there is now a “fundamental divergence” with the prime minister, Marcelo says “he will be more attentive and intervene in daily life, signaling more intensely about everything that could alienate the Portuguese from public authorities.”
As for Joao Galamba, the president was crushing. Indirectly classifying him as “irresponsible,” Marcelo almost puts himself on a par with former aide Frederico Pinheiro, stating: “How can a minister not be held responsible for an employee he chose to keep in his closest command while tracking a dossier as secret as a dossier TAP in which the Portuguese have already invested millions of euros and have earned such confidence that they can attend private meetings to prepare other public meetings?”. And, extending the reprimand to António Costa himself, he said that “a government official takes responsibility for what he does and does not do, as well as for what he chooses and over whom he should do and not do.”

“In order to exist, the authorities must be responsible,” the President said, adding that in this case, “responsibility was not taken. Apologizing is not enough.” – obviously referring to Costa, – said Marcelo. “You can’t erase everything by saying it’s over… It’s not over yet!”

Reaffirming that his main goal is to “guarantee institutional stability” and adding that it is not the President who will “add problems to the problems that the Portuguese already have”, Marcelo ended his intervention by appealing to “prudence, statesmanship and patriotism of all. I always count on the experience, prudence and wisdom of the Portuguese people.”

reactions

Pedro Pinto
Enough parliamentary leader
“The President of the Republic completely devastated the Minister Joao Galamba. The Minister is finished. Today he had an end point. […]but we had to go further. I had to end today with this government that is in tatters.”

Mariana Mortagua
Member of the Left Bloc
“[Marcelo está] entangled in an arrogant and domineering absolute majority. […] Today we know that we do not trust either the government or the president to present the decisions that the Portuguese expect.”

Rui Rocha
President of the Liberal Initiative
“The Prime Minister linked his political fate with Joao Galamba, the President linked the assessment of his mandate with the next period of António Costa’s rule. They are both jointly responsible for everything that happens.”

Paula Santos
PKP parliamentary leader
“What workers, pensioners,
people are complaining is the answer to the problems they face: salaries and pensions do not come until the end of the month.”

Ines de Souza Real
PAN member
“It’s not enough to rant at the moment. Portugal needs structural reforms, as well as responsibility, commitment and a sense of the common good.”

PSD says Costa will be to blame for any future instability
The PSD stated that it agrees with the interpretation of the political situation by the President of the Republic, respects the conclusions of the head of state and leaves a warning: “It is very important that the Portuguese know that if the election calendar is to be expected in Portugal, or that is, if the elections are postponed and if there is political instability , it owes solely and exclusively to the prime minister and the government,” said the Secretary General of the SDP. Hugo Soares also said that “a government that does not assume its responsibility loses its credibility and weakens its credibility and authority”, advocating increased executive vigilance.