Latest news with #LuísMontenegro
Euronews
5 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Montenegro reappointed as Portugal's PM, rules out immediate reforms
Portugal's newly reappointed Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has ruled out constitutional reform in the near future, something demanded by the far-right Chega party which finished second in the country's elections earlier this month. On Thursday, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa confirmed Montenegro as the leader of Portugal's 25th government, following the end of the vote counting process. Montenegro's Democratic Alliance (AD) won 91 seats, while Chega came second with 60 and the Socialist Party (PS) finished third with 58. "The appointment and inauguration of the government will take place after the publication of the final election results and the constitutive meeting of the new legislature of the Assembly of the Republic," the president said in a statement. Speaking shortly after his appointment, Montenegro said he would dedicate himself in the coming days to forming a minority government. The prime minister, who also led the last government, confirmed that constitutional revision "is not a government priority". "Later on, we'll be able to discuss this issue. We're not going to do it any time soon and so we're not prepared to entertain that discussion," he told journalists. Instead, his new government would focus on plans to grow the economy, improve public services and transform the national health service, he said. Speaking to the media after meeting with the president, both Carlos César, from the PS, and André Ventura, from Chega, guaranteed that they would make an AD government viable. César noted that "the will of the people must be respected", while Ventura said he "will not support a motion to reject the government's programme". Montenegro's appointment came after the final results of the parliamentary elections were released late on Wednesday, once the votes cast by Portuguese citizens abroad had been counted. By finishing second, Chega upset the traditional dominance of the centre-right and the centre-left in Portuguese politics.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Constitutional revision 'not a priority', says Portuguese PM
Portugal's newly reappointed Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has ruled out constitutional reform in the near future, something demanded by the far-right Chega party which finished second in the country's elections earlier this month. On Thursday, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa confirmed Montenegro as the leader of Portugal's 25th government, following the end of the vote counting process. Montenegro's Democratic Alliance (AD) won 91 seats, while Chega came second with 60 and the Socialist Party (PS) finished third with 58. "The appointment and inauguration of the government will take place after the publication of the final election results and the constitutive meeting of the new legislature of the Assembly of the Republic," the president said in a statement. Speaking shortly after his appointment, Montenegro said he would dedicate himself in the coming days to forming a minority government. The prime minister, who also led the last government, confirmed that constitutional revision "is not a government priority". "Later on, we'll be able to discuss this issue. We're not going to do it any time soon and so we're not prepared to entertain that discussion," he told journalists. Instead, his new government would focus on plans to grow the economy, improve public services and transform the national health service, he said. Speaking to the media after meeting with the president, both Carlos César, from the PS, and André Ventura, from Chega, guaranteed that they would make an AD government viable. César noted that "the will of the people must be respected", while Ventura said he "will not support a motion to reject the government's programme". Montenegro's appointment came after the final results of the parliamentary elections were released late on Wednesday, once the votes cast by Portuguese citizens abroad had been counted. By finishing second, Chega upset the traditional dominance of the centre-right and the centre-left in Portuguese politics. French Health Minister Catherine Vautrin announced on Thursday that a new smoking ban in outdoor public spaces where children are present will come into force from 1 July. Speaking to French newspaper Ouest France, Vautin said, "wherever there are children, smoking must disappear", adding that "a smoke-free generation is possible, and it starts now." A breach of the ban — which is part of France's wider National Tobacco Control Programme, announced in November 2023 — could be punishable with a €135 fine. In practice, smoking cigarettes will be outlawed in a range of public places — including beaches, parks, gardens, sports facilities, but also bus shelters and areas surrounding schools. Although the ban will not apply to the terraces of cafes and bars, France's health minister refused to rule out future similar bans in these spaces. Under the plan, electronic cigarettes will still be permitted in these spaces, but Vautrin emphasised that the government wanted to "lower the permitted nicotine content" in these devices, as well as reduce the variety of flavours available on the market by mid-2026. The detailed remit of the ban, which is being decided upon with France's Council of State (Conseil d'État) — the French advisory body tasked with advising the government on prospective bills and decrees — has not yet been revealed. The French Health Minister said the government was counting on"elected representatives to implement (the ban) pragmatically." The French government has made tackling the number of deaths caused by smoking one of its key missions. Every year, 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications in France. In 2023, France's National Tobacco Control Programme set out to develop 26 measures — which included raising the price of tobacco, introducing plain packaging and banning the sale of vaping products — in a bid to reduce smoking-related deaths. According to a survey conducted by NGO "La Ligue contre le cancer", nearly eight out of 10 of those questioned were in favour of a ban, while 83% backed similar legislation for electronic cigarettes. The measures unveiled by France follow Thursday's announcement from the Spanish government, revealing its plans to ban smoking in a wide range of places — including bar and restaurant terraces, university campuses, vehicles used for work purposes and outdoor sporting events.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Portugals Ruling Party Wins General Election, Fall Short Of Majority
Lisbon: Portugal's third general election in three years has failed to deliver the result that could break the worst spell of political instability for decades in the European Union country of 10.6 million people. Sunday's vote delivered another minority government for the center-right Democratic Alliance, which will be at the mercy of opposition parties. The significant rise in support for the hard-right populist party Chega (Enough) adds more uncertainty. Why was there an early election? The Democratic Alliance, led by the Social Democratic Party, lost a vote of confidence in parliament in March as opposition lawmakers teamed up against it. That triggered an election, which had been due in 2028. The confidence vote was sparked by a political storm around potential conflicts of interest in the business dealings of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's family law firm. Montenegro, who is poised to become prime minister again, has denied any wrongdoing. What was the outcome of Sunday's ballot? The Democratic Alliance captured at least 89 seats in the 230-seat National Assembly. Chega collected the same number of seats as the center-left Socialists — 58 — and could yet claim second place when four remaining seats decided by voters abroad are attributed in coming days. Chega competed in its first election just six years ago, when it won one seat, and has fed off disaffection with the more moderate traditional parties. Its success shook up the traditional balance of power in a trend already witnessed elsewhere in Europe with parties such as France's National Rally, the Brothers of Italy, and Alternative for Germany, which are now in the political mainstream. For the past 50 years, the Social Democrats and the center-left Socialist Party have alternated in power in Portugal. The Socialists, meanwhile, are without a leader after Pedro Nuno Santos said he was standing down following the party's worst result since 1987. Smaller parties got the other seats. What are the issues? Corruption scandals have dogged Portuguese politics in recent years, helping fuel the rise of Chega. Chega owes much of its success to its demands for a tighter immigration policy that have resonated with voters. Portugal has witnessed a steep rise in immigration. In 2018, there were fewer than a half-million legal immigrants in the country, according to government statistics. By early this year, there were more than 1.5 million, many of them Brazilians and Asians working in tourism and farming. Thousands more lack the proper documents to be in Portugal. A housing crisis has also fired up debate. House prices and rents have been soaring for the past 10 years, due in part to an influx of white-collar foreigners who have driven up prices. The problem is compounded by Portugal being one of Western Europe's poorest countries. The average monthly salary last year was around 1,200 euros ($1,340) before tax, according to the statistics agency. The government-set minimum wage this year is 870 euros ($974) a month before tax. What happens now? Portugal's head of state convened the country's political parties for consultations. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has no executive power, was consulting with parties before inviting the election winner to form a government, in line with the constitution.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Portugal's election result falls short of ending political instability. Here's what to know
LISBON (AP) — Portugal's third general election in three years has failed to deliver the result that could break the worst spell of political instability for decades in the European Union country of 10.6 million people. Sunday's vote delivered another minority government for the center-right Democratic Alliance, which will be at the mercy of opposition parties. The significant rise in support for the hard-right populist party Chega (Enough) adds more uncertainty. The Democratic Alliance, led by the Social Democratic Party, lost a vote of confidence in parliament in March as opposition lawmakers teamed up against it. That triggered an election, which had been due in 2028. The confidence vote was sparked by a political storm around potential conflicts of interest in the business dealings of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's family law firm. Montenegro, who is poised to become prime minister again, has denied any wrongdoing. The Democratic Alliance captured at least 89 seats in the 230-seat National Assembly. Chega collected the same number of seats as the center-left Socialists — 58 — and could yet claim second place when four remaining seats decided by voters abroad are attributed in coming days. Chega competed in its first election just six years ago, when it won one seat, and has fed off disaffection with the more moderate traditional parties. Its success shook up the traditional balance of power in a trend already witnessed elsewhere in Europe with parties such as France's National Rally, the Brothers of Italy, and Alternative for Germany, which are now in the political mainstream. For the past 50 years, the Social Democrats and the center-left Socialist Party have alternated in power in Portugal. The Socialists, meanwhile, are without a leader after Pedro Nuno Santos said he was standing down following the party's worst result since 1987. Smaller parties got the other seats. Corruption scandals have dogged Portuguese politics in recent years, helping fuel the rise of Chega. Chega owes much of its success to its demands for a tighter immigration policy that have resonated with voters. Portugal has witnessed a steep rise in immigration. In 2018, there were fewer than a half-million legal immigrants in the country, according to government statistics. By early this year, there were more than 1.5 million, many of them Brazilians and Asians working in tourism and farming. Thousands more lack the proper documents to be in Portugal. A housing crisis has also fired up debate. House prices and rents have been soaring for the past 10 years, due in part to an influx of white-collar foreigners who have driven up prices. The problem is compounded by Portugal being one of Western Europe's poorest countries. The average monthly salary last year was around 1,200 euros ($1,340) before tax, according to the statistics agency. The government-set minimum wage this year is 870 euros ($974) a month before tax. Portugal's head of state convened the country's political parties for consultations. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has no executive power, was consulting with parties before inviting the election winner to form a government, in line with the constitution.
19-05-2025
- Politics
Portugal election result falls short of ending political instability: What to know
LISBON -- Portugal's third general election in three years has failed to deliver the result that could break the worst spell of political instability for decades in the European Union country of 10.6 million people. Sunday's vote delivered another minority government for the center-right Democratic Alliance, which will be at the mercy of opposition parties. The significant rise in support for the hard-right populist party Chega (Enough) adds more uncertainty. The Democratic Alliance, led by the Social Democratic Party, lost a vote of confidence in parliament in March as opposition lawmakers teamed up against it. That triggered an election, which had been due in 2028. The confidence vote was sparked by a political storm around potential conflicts of interest in the business dealings of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's family law firm. Montenegro, who is poised to become prime minister again, has denied any wrongdoing. The Democratic Alliance captured at least 89 seats in the 230-seat National Assembly. Chega collected the same number of seats as the center-left Socialists — 58 — and could yet claim second place when four remaining seats decided by voters abroad are attributed in coming days. Chega competed in its first election just six years ago, when it won one seat, and has fed off disaffection with the more moderate traditional parties. Its success shook up the traditional balance of power in a trend already witnessed elsewhere in Europe with parties such as France's National Rally, the Brothers of Italy, and Alternative for Germany, which are now in the political mainstream. For the past 50 years, the Social Democrats and the center-left Socialist Party have alternated in power in Portugal. The Socialists, meanwhile, are without a leader after Pedro Nuno Santos said he was standing down following the party's worst result since 1987. Smaller parties got the other seats. Corruption scandals have dogged Portuguese politics in recent years, helping fuel the rise of Chega. Chega owes much of its success to its demands for a tighter immigration policy that have resonated with voters. Portugal has witnessed a steep rise in immigration. In 2018, there were fewer than a half-million legal immigrants in the country, according to government statistics. By early this year, there were more than 1.5 million, many of them Brazilians and Asians working in tourism and farming. Thousands more lack the proper documents to be in Portugal. A housing crisis has also fired up debate. House prices and rents have been soaring for the past 10 years, due in part to an influx of white-collar foreigners who have driven up prices. The problem is compounded by Portugal being one of Western Europe's poorest countries. The average monthly salary last year was around 1,200 euros ($1,340) before tax, according to the statistics agency. The government-set minimum wage this year is 870 euros ($974) a month before tax. Portugal's head of state convened the country's political parties for consultations. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has no executive power, was consulting with parties before inviting the election winner to form a government, in line with the constitution.
