PS says Montenegro chose Chega as its “preferred partner in governance”

The parliamentary leader of the Socialist Party (PS) today accused the Prime Minister of normalizing the far-right and choosing Chega as his preferred governing partner, arguing that "it is difficult to dialogue with those who do not want to talk within a democratic framework."

Eurico Brilhante Dias defended these ideas in statements to journalists in parliament, after Luís Montenegro's interview with Antena 1 in which he expressed surprise at the PS's threat to break with the Government and considered that Chega "is beginning to show" greater responsibility.

"This interview is another step in that direction, a step towards choosing, a choice made by the Prime Minister, to choose the far right as the preferred partner in governing the country," the socialist noted.

According to Eurico Brilhante Dias, the Socialist Party "is open to democratic dialogue," but "will not participate in the implementation and normalization of an agenda that is harmful" to the country and the Portuguese people.

"The government, unfortunately, chose to be radical and build a radical right-wing bloc. It's difficult to talk, it's difficult to dialogue with those who don't want to talk within a democratic framework," he lamented.

From the perspective of the PS parliamentary leader, this interview is "another step in the normalization of the far right" and its ideas.

“The PS serves the country, whether in opposition or in government, and serves the country by solving problems,” he assured.

Faced with problems in hospital emergency rooms, the purchase of air services for medical emergencies, and housing prices, Eurico Brilhante Dias considered that the prime minister "aligned himself with the far-right agenda" and created "a radical right-wing bloc."

"He chose his partner, he chose his preferred partner, he adopted the far-right agenda, and he continues to fail to resolve the essential problems of the Portuguese people," he accused.

The PS leader assured that the party “is a firm and alternative opposition” and “has a positive, solution-oriented, moderate, centrist, credible agenda”, noting that the socialist leader “showed openness to, in opposition, being the opposition that guarantees democratic normality and moderate solutions”.

"The Socialist Party serves the country and has stated from day one that it was available to ensure the government wouldn't surrender to the far-right in order to survive. That's why it made proposals in the area of defense, it made proposals in the area of medical emergency coordination, and even today it makes a proposal in the area of housing loans, particularly for people with disabilities and family members of people with disabilities," he listed.

In an interview with Antena 1's "Política com Assinatura" program, Luís Montenegro reiterated that he does not have a preferred or exclusive partner for dialogue, considered that the party led by André Ventura "has been normalized" for a long time and called on the PS to show "democratic humility in this new political era."

"We're in the first month of the legislature; this week the Socialist Party threatened to break with the government. But does anyone see such a dramatic shift, such a radicalization within the Socialist Party, even contrary to the political line most expected from the current leadership? I myself am a bit surprised," he said, admitting that he has also experienced "very difficult times" within his party.