Montenegro and its 'repetitionists': Unraveling Facts (and Consequences)
Portugal's President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, appointed Luís Montenegro as the nation's Prime Minister on Thursday, following a brief audience at the Belém Palace in Lisbon. This was the second meeting between Montenegro and the President within a few hours, as Montenegro was previously consulted by the Head of State, regarding the formation of the new government.
The Presidential note,published on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic, stated: "Given the results of the elections for the Assembly of the Republic, having heard the Political Parties represented therein, in accordance with the constitutional terms, and ensuring the parliamentary viability of the new Executive, the President of the Republic appointed [yesterday] Dr. Luís Montenegro as Prime Minister of the XXV Constitutional Government."
The appointment comes 11 days after the early Legislative elections of May 18, during which the AD (PSD/CDS-PP) won the majority of seats, without securing an absolute majority. Montenegro has been Prime Minister since April 2, 2021, and he will now form his second Executive.
After the audience with the President of the Republic, Montenegro refused to reveal a preferred partner for the legislature, emphasizing that he had a "robust majority" and could count on "the responsibility of all." A constitutional review, however, is not a priority for the Government.
During the formation process, Montenegro will focus on dialoguing with all political forces to find the best legislative and governmental solutions to address the needs of the Portuguese people. He assured that the Government will be constituted by elements that transited from the previous one but will have "renewed energy."
The inauguration and swearing-in of the Government will take place, according to official sources, after the publication of the final results of the elections and the constitutive meeting of the new legislature of the Assembly of the Republic. It is expected that the government lineup and the swearing-in ceremony will take place next week, in principle.
The Assembly of the Republic has provisionally set June 5 as the date for the first meeting, assuming that the official results map is published in the Republic's Diary on June 2. This timeline would allow for the President to swear in the new Government on June 6, enabling the Government's Program to be presented to the Assembly as early as June 16.
What will be the focus of Montenegro during the formation process of the new government? He will dialogue with all political forces to find the best legislative and governmental solutions to address the needs of the Portuguese people.
Is a constitutional review a priority for the new Government? No, it is not a priority for the Government.
){kind=link}