Sócrates lost another judicial battle in his attempt to remain without a lawyer. The former Portuguese prime minister, who faces judicial proceedings related to Operation Marquês, has repeatedly tried to remove the lawyers appointed to him, but without success.
An application was filed requesting the withdrawal of effectiveness from the acts carried out by lawyer Luís Carlos Esteves, who had been appointed to represent Sócrates. The request essentially aimed to annul all procedures carried out with the intervention of that lawyer.
The judge who considered the case was clear in her decision, stating that the law does not permit the defendant to "paralyze" the proceedings nor to annul the court-appointed lawyer. This judicial position blocks another attempt by Sócrates to remain without legal representation in the proceedings he faces.
This is not the first time Sócrates has tried to remain without a lawyer. The former politician has adopted this procedural strategy at various stages of his judicial proceedings, apparently seeking to delay or complicate the procedures. However, the courts have consistently rejected these attempts, maintaining the requirement for legal representation under Portuguese law.
