The motion of censure presented by Chega against the XXV Constitutional Government was rejected by Parliament this Tuesday, with the abstention of the Socialist Party, Left Block and Portuguese Communist Party, while PSD, CDS-PP, Liberal Initiative, Livre and PAN voted against. This was the third motion of censure against PSD/CDS-PP executives led by Luís Montenegro, the 37th in democracy and the fourth time Chega resorted to this instrument. It was also the first time the Assembly of the Republic discussed a motion of censure outside the effective functioning period and in the first legislative session of the XVII legislature.
The debate was marked by André Ventura's attacks on the prime minister, on the Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves and on PS, questioning why the latter did not ask for Neves' resignation. José Luís Carneiro responded that PS is not afraid of André Ventura and that Portuguese people do not want a political crisis. The socialist leader justified the abstention saying that the party does not enable the motion because Portuguese people want a Government responding to their concerns, not a political crisis.
Luís Montenegro made a fierce defense of the Minister of Internal Administration, stating that Luís Neves has been doing extraordinary work, coordinated in an exemplary manner and has shown aptitude and competence, especially in the control of air borders. The prime minister reiterated that all Government members deserve his political trust.
In the debate, Luís Montenegro also announced two measures: a 400 million euro tax relief with IRS reduction up to the sixth bracket, already felt in the November withholding tax, and an extraordinary supplement for pensioners with pensions up to 1,611 euros, at an estimated cost of 400 million euros. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, closed by questioning whether Chega is on the side of NATO, the EU and the Euro Zone or against Europe, in favor of Putin's Russia like the AfD.
