The leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Luís Montenegro, and the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, faced off on Wednesday night in a televised debate for the legislative elections on May 18.
The debate opened with the topic of Monday’s blackout, which left Portugal without electricity for several hours, drawing criticism from the opposition over the government’s lack of communication and information provided to the Portuguese public.
Spinumviva, the family business of Montenegro which was a key point in the government’s fall, featured prominently in the debate, although other issues such as Health and the Economy were also discussed.
A summary of the debate by topic:
- Montenegro and Pedro Nuno disagree over blackout management
The president of the PSD and the Secretary-General of the PS differed on the handling of Monday’s blackout, with Luís Montenegro asserting effectiveness, while Pedro Nuno Santos pointed out a lack of coordination.
The Prime Minister and leader of the AD – PSD/CDS-PP coalition for the upcoming May 18 elections stated that his government coordinated the technical operations to disconnect from Spain, which was the source of the electricity supply cut-off, and to resume supply to the Portuguese as soon as possible.
However, Pedro Nuno Santos argued that it was essential for the Prime Minister to have immediately convened the Internal Security System, which includes entities such as Civil Protection, security forces, PJ, and Armed Forces, along with government members, right after the blackout.
- Spinumviva heats up debate, accusations of lack of “integrity” exchanged
The Secretary-General of the PS accused Luís Montenegro of lacking the integrity to serve as Prime Minister, with the PSD leader countering with claims of a lack of authority and deplorable behavior, pressing on “gratuitous insinuations.”
Pedro Nuno Santos accused Montenegro of pulling “a rabbit out of the hat” on this topic after Expresso reported that the Prime Minister submitted a new declaration of interests to the Entity for Transparency, revealing new clients of Spinumviva.
In response, Montenegro maintained that he did not make any interaction public, stating he merely responded to a request directed at him.
Montenegro argued in a stern tone that it was “a matter of character” and accused Pedro Nuno Santos of lacking “moral authority, public life, or professional life” to challenge him on such issues, adding that he never questioned the PS leader about the clients of a company in which he held shares as a deputy or minister.
- Health? Montenegro says SNS is in “transformation,” Pedro Nuno calls it a “failure”
The president of the PSD defended that the National Health Service (SNS) is undergoing transformation, despite persistent constraints, while the Secretary-General described health as the government’s biggest failure.
Luís Montenegro argued that the current government has “transformed the SNS, reducing waiting times for scheduling consultations, conducting consultations, and surgeries,” albeit acknowledging “many constraints” remain.
However, the Secretary-General of the PS categorically deemed Health as “the government’s biggest area of failure.”
- Economic Forecasts: “Leap of faith” or pessimism and inertia?
The Secretary-General of the PS accused the president of the PSD of making unrealistic economic growth forecasts, whereas Luís Montenegro argued that Pedro Nuno Santos’ stance reflects misguided pessimism and inertia.
The PS leader claimed that the Prime Minister proposed growth rates not predicted by any entity in Portugal as part of the AD program, “yet in Brussels, presents lower growth rates below 2%.”
In contrast, Luís Montenegro retorted that Pedro Nuno Santos aimed to “sow confusion, whether deliberately or due to pure incompetence,” regarding the AD’s macroeconomic scenario.
- Social Security unchanged “next legislature”. Pedro Nuno seeks to dismantle working group
The incumbent Prime Minister pledged that if re-elected, he would not implement changes to the Social Security system “in the next legislature,” following accusations from the PS leader that the AD aims for partial privatization.
Conversely, Pedro Nuno Santos vowed to dismantle the working group “created for the Social Security privatization” if he wins, immediately challenged by the Prime Minister.
- Montenegro and Pedro Nuno Santos avoid addressing potential defeat and governability
Both PSD and PS leaders assured their capability to provide political stability in the event of an electoral victory, while avoiding addressing scenarios of defeat or terms of governance.
“We are working every day with humility to engage with the Portuguese people, present our proposals, and earn the trust of the Portuguese to win the elections — this is our current focus,” said Pedro Nuno Santos, mentioning the PS’s role in providing stability to the PSD/CDS-PP government over the past year.
Meanwhile, Montenegro vowed to continue governing “exactly with the same principles.” “The government did not fall due to lack of stability but due to political tactics, and the Portuguese now hold the tool that can grant this stability to the government,” he stated.
After the debate, Pedro Nuno says “being honest means not mixing business with politics,” but Montenegro insists he is “bulletproof” against insinuations
Speaking to journalists following the debate, Pedro Nuno Santos maintained that “being honest means not mixing business with politics” and assured that “nobody will face unpleasant surprises in the future.”
Conversely, Luís Montenegro urged voters’ trust, claiming to be “bulletproof” against insinuations, accusing the PS Secretary-General of “crossing many lines to achieve his lifelong goal” of becoming Prime Minister.
