CHEGA again?: New motion of no confidence against the government

CHEGA submitted a motion of no confidence to the Parliament against the Luís Montenegro government, citing the fact that Interior Minister Luís Neves was kept in office. The day on which the proposal will be discussed depends on the calendar determined by the Parliamentary leaders' conference.

New motion of no confidence against the government from CHEGA

CHEGA submitted a motion of no confidence in the XXV Constitutional Government led by Luís Montenegro to the Parliament on 2 September.

Party leader André Ventura justified the motion by considering Interior Minister Luís Neves remaining in the government. Ventura also announced that the planned parliamentary investigation into Neves' term as head of the Judicial Police (PJ) will continue independently of the motion.

The proposal does not mean the official fall of the government. Under the Portuguese Constitution, the support of an absolute majority of incumbent MPs is required for a motion of no confidence to be passed. If this majority is reached, the government resigns; After this, early elections are not automatically required.

The meeting date has not been determined yet

The President of the Parliament, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, convened the leaders' conference to determine the date for the discussion of the proposal. Since the proposal was submitted before the start of the normal working period of the Assembly, a calendar decision on when the meeting will be held is expected.

The constitution determines that a motion of no confidence can be discussed at least 48 hours after it is submitted. If the motion is rejected, signatory MPs cannot submit a new motion of no confidence within the same legislative year.

PTNewsHub review

CHEGA's motion of no-confidence against the government was a new example of the harsh political outbursts that have become more frequent in Portuguese politics recently. It is not correct to say that there is a "political crisis" before the outcome of the proposal is determined; The decisive factor will be the voting schedule in the Parliament and the votes of the parties. The re-intensification of the debate over Luís Neves keeps the political pressure on the government alive.

Practical knowledge

A motion of no confidence is not an individual impeachment of a minister; It directly tests the government's political support in Parliament. For its adoption, a vote of at least 116 members of parliament is required.

RTP/Lusa: CHEGA's statement to continue the parliamentary investigation after the motion

Lusa: Leaders' conference convened to set date for motion

Portuguese Parliament: Procedure and outcome of the motion of no confidence

Portuguese Constitution: Articles 194 and 195