During a parliamentary hearing on September 8, 2026, the leader of the Liberal Initiative, Rui Rocha, directly asked the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, whether he "belongs or belonged to Freemasonry". The minister responded ironically, categorically denying any connection and stating that his associations are limited to the Académico do Fundão Club, the Recreativo do Feijó Club, and the Atlético Clube de Almada.
The hearing took place in a particularly tense atmosphere and also included other questions about Luís Neves' career, namely allegations regarding possible delays in submitting income declarations while he was heading the Judicial Police and questions about private works on his property.
The article emphasizes that, in Portugal, membership in Freemasonry is not in itself an offense or an incompatibility with holding public office, with freedom of association being constitutionally protected. The editorial argues that, although parliamentary scrutiny is legitimate and necessary, suspicion does not equate to proof, and each matter should be treated with the seriousness it deserves, without mixing distinct facts as if they were pieces of the same mechanism.
The text concludes that democracy requires facts, documents, rebuttal, and accountability, arguing that Parliament must distinguish between legitimate doubt and an accusation disguised as a question, seeking truth through concrete evidence and not merely through the production of suspicions.
