The rift between Belém and São Bento is finally open. Following the fact that António Costa does not accept João Galamba’s resignation, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has published a note on the presidency’s official website in which he emphatically writes that he “disagrees with the position” of the prime minister.
Recalling that the President of the Republic “cannot exonerate a member of the government without a proposal from the Prime Minister”, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa makes it a point to write that he “disagrees with his position regarding the political reading of the facts and the resulting perception by the Portuguese, regarding the prestige of the institutions governing them.”
This follows the resignation of the Minister of Infrastructure, João Galamba, “for weighty reasons related to citizens’ perceptions of political institutions”.
But Costa could not accept it “for reasons of conscience, despite the situation he considered deplorable”.
READ MARCELO’S NOTE IN FULL
The Minister of Infrastructure tendered his resignation today, citing weighty reasons related to citizens’ perceptions of political institutions.
The Prime Minister, who is responsible for presenting this request to the President of the Republic, has, out of conscientious objection, decided not to do so, despite the situation he considered deplorable.
The President of the Republic, who cannot exonerate a member of the government without a nomination by the Prime Minister, disagrees with his position regarding the political interpretation of the facts and the resulting perception on the part of the Portuguese with regarding the prestige of the institutions they govern.
Source: DN
