The motion of censure presented by Chega against the Government of Luís Montenegro was rejected this Tuesday in the Assembly of the Republic, with the Executive remaining in office. The initiative had as its main political basis the prime minister's decision to maintain Luís Neves as Minister of Internal Administration, despite the controversies surrounding the official. During the debate, Montenegro again defended Luís Neves, reiterating confidence in the minister and rejecting the reasons invoked by Chega.
The outcome of the vote was practically defined before the debate, after the Socialist Party announced its abstention. The socialist position removed from Chega's initiative the possibility of achieving the absolute majority necessary to produce the constitutionally provided effect: the resignation of the Government. PSD and CDS-PP announced they would vote against, as did Iniciativa Liberal, Livre and PAN. PS, PCP and Left Bloc abstained, while Chega was the only party with a favorable vote.
Under the terms of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, the approval of a motion of censure by an absolute majority of deputies in effective office implies the resignation of the Government. Chega's initiative, titled "For the end of a Government without political authority, incapable of assuming responsibilities and guaranteeing trust in institutions," was submitted by the party led by André Ventura last week and constituted the first motion of censure directed at the XXV Constitutional Government.
The debate took place on a day particularly marked by parliamentary scrutiny of Luís Neves, who during the morning had been heard before the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Liberties and Guarantees. With the rejection of the initiative, the Government of Luís Montenegro remains in office. Chega has already announced its intention to continue political scrutiny through a parliamentary committee of inquiry.
