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Firing Back: Montenegro's Defense Amid Spinumviva Controversy
In a fiery speech at the Paredes Secondary School, Portugal's Defense Minister and coalition partner, Luís Montenegro's adversary, didn't hold back, praising Montenegro for his work during the election campaign.
"You've been working, and that's what matters, Portugal should be careful of those who haven't," he said, referring to the Spinumviva controversy that sparked early elections on May 18.
The political landscape has been shaking amid accusations of conflict of interest against Montenegro, whose family's consultancy firm, Spinumviva, was linked to companies profiting from state concessions. The controversy has ensnared several political parties, including Montenegro's own Social Democratic Party (PSD) and coalition partner, the Democratic and Social Centre/People’s Party (CDS/PP).
The opposition Socialist Party (PS), on the other hand, has been pushing for accountability, even proposing a parliamentary inquiry into Spinumviva. The early elections, set for May 18, are a result of the PS-led opposition's rejection of Montenegro's confidence motion.
Amid the controversy, the CDS/PP leader criticized the PS, accusing them of "digging into the personal data of a political adversary" just 50 years after the April 25 regime. He also denounced the "slander," "defamations," and "miserable posters" spread during the campaign.
The scathing remarks came after the Expresso newspaper disclosed that Montenegro had added seven new companies for which he worked at Spinumviva to his new statement of interests submitted to the Transparency Entity.
This scandal has caused a rift among the parties, with far-right Chega party and the Communist Party both submitting no-confidence motions against Montenegro's government. However, it's the PS that seems to be capitalizing on the Spinumviva scandal, aiming to regain lost ground.
Just days before the election, it seems the battle lines are drawn, with Montenegro standing firm in the face of accusations, and his opponents vowing to hold him accountable. The stage is set for a heated election, with the fate of the coalition hanging in the balance.
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- The controversy surrounding Spinumviva, a consultancy firm linked to Portugal's Defense Minister Luís Montenegro, has stirred up political discussion and policy-and-legislation, moving from general news to a central focus in politics.
- As the election date approaches, the Socialist Party (PS) continues to attempt to hold Montenegro accountable, proposing a parliamentary inquiry into his firm, Spinumviva.
- Despite the scandals, Montenegro's coalition partner, the Democratic and Social Centre/People’s Party (CDS/PP), has accused the PS of engaging in defamations and digging into personal data, similar to practices during the April 25 regime.
- The CDS/PP leader also pointed out the work Montenegro has done for the government, stating that he has worked for seven additional companies at Spinumviva, as revealed by the Expresso newspaper, according to a new statement of interests submitted to the Transparency Entity.
