The Portuguese left is not asking for Luís Neves' resignation, but is demanding accountability from Prime Minister Montenegro. The Luís Neves case has been framed by the left as another problem accumulated to those already existing related to the "authority" of the head of Government.
The left-wing parties consider that Luís Neves' situation reveals failures in Montenegro's leadership and in the policy followed by the Executive. This position arises in a context of growing political tension between the Government and the parliamentary left.
The question of Montenegro's "authority" has been a recurring theme in the left's criticisms, which sees in this case further evidence of the Prime Minister's difficulties in maintaining control and cohesion of his government.
