The PSD chairman on Tuesday defended the holding of early elections, saying that “the government has fallen from within” and that the demotion of the executive power “requires that no more time is wasted and that the word must be returned to the people ” .
“This recovery is only feasible with early elections, and we are prepared for that.”said Luís Montenegro.
Montenegro spoke to journalists at the national headquarters of the PSD, at the end of a meeting of the Standing Committee, convened even before the announcement of the Prime Minister’s resignation – accepted by the President of the Republic – after the Public Prosecutor’s Office revealed that it is the target of an independent Supreme Court investigation into lithium and hydrogen projects.
The PSD president emphasized that he was never in a hurry to hold elections. “but now the government’s degradation demands that we stop wasting time and give the word back to the people”and presented his vision of an alternative.
“Portugal does not need adventures and revolutionary visions. We need realism, reformism and a renewed social contract. We need inclusivity, unity and ambition”he defended, citing courage and bravery as hallmarks of ‘being Portuguese’, but also moderation and tolerance.
When asked whether he will keep his promise not to make any agreements with the Chega party after the elections, Montenegro emphasized that he said at the same place just over a month ago that “that is not the case”, saying that the PSD “does not fail to fulfill its obligations”
When asked whether early elections should be held as soon as possible or whether the President of the Republic should give time to approve the state budget in parliament, the PSD leader did not give a clear answer.
“The issue is not whether the PSD or I want elections or not. The government has fallen apart. It is clear that there are no conditions to continue. The circumstances that motivate us to consult the Portuguese people in early elections have been met.”he said.
Montenegro sent to the President of the Republic “the exercise of its constitutional powers”bearing in mind that on Wednesday they will have an audience with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, like all parties with seats in parliament.
“At that time, we will evaluate the entire situation with him and hope that he exercises the powers granted to him by the Constitution, in this specific case: to dissolve parliament and schedule elections.”he said, refusing to comment on the scenario of continuity of the current majority with another prime minister.
The Prime Minister, António Costa, asked the President of the Republic for his resignation on Tuesday, who accepted it, after the Public Prosecution Service revealed that he is the target of an independent investigation by the Supreme Court into lithium and hydrogen projects.
The president called the parties to a hearing on Wednesday at the Palácio de Belém in Lisbon and will meet with the Council of State on Thursday.
In a statement at the Palácio de São Bento, António Costa refused to commit “any unlawful or offensive act” and expressed his full willingness to cooperate with the justice system “in whatever he deems necessary.”
Source: DN
