At a rally in Santarém, concluding the fifth official day of the AD coalition (PSD/CDS-PP) campaign, Luís Montenegro addressed the ongoing CP strike, noting he had been subject to “a flurry of comments” for suggesting possible changes to the law to balance the right to strike with other considerations.
“I even thought this was relatively consensual and that those commenting remembered what they had previously said. I had already made these statements while in opposition; maybe it was naive of me to think others would do the same,” he remarked.
He then read passages from two statements made in 2019 by Pedro Nuno Santos—never mentioning him by name but referring to his then-role as Minister of Infrastructure—initially from an interview on TVI in April of that year.
“I will read the following: ‘We should cautiously, without undermining constitutionally enshrined rights, reflect on the right to strike, on union organization, and on supplying our critical infrastructures,'” he cited, asserting he had not gone as far in his statements today.
Montenegro also recalled another remark by Pedro Nuno Santos from July of the same year to Lusa, where Santos expressed concern over strikes during electoral periods. Montenegro agreed with the minister’s standpoint at the time, lamenting that now the PS leader accused him of attacking democracy.
“There is a great deal of inconsistency here. I don’t know how one can govern a country with doubts, hesitations, or such blatant flip-flopping,” he accused, questioning whether to believe what Pedro Nuno Santos said before or now.
Montenegro argued that “for these and other reasons,” only the AD ensures stability: “Political stability and consistent political opinion are necessary,” he advocated.
The Prime Minister reinforced his view that the CP strike is “absolutely unjust,” asserting that the government’s negotiation processes with unions could have avoided it.
“With the strike taking place, I have no doubt it has a high influence of political and partisan interests,” he stated.
The PSD leader questioned whether it is “fair and appropriate” for hundreds of people to easily and directly challenge the rights of millions, referring to those missing work, education, or medical appointments.
At the Santarém rally, Montenegro reiterated a “commitment of honor” to make Portuguese agriculture a strategic sector for economic and social development—an assurance he made in the region’s campaign a year ago.
“This work is unfinished, but this priority is expressed in the government with the ministers’ cross-cutting commitment,” he assured.
With Education Minister Fernando Alexandre heading the list for Santarém, the PSD leader emphasized the importance of this sector for “a country with true equality of opportunity.”
“This can only be achieved if education is prioritized above all else. In education, we are all equal,” he argued.
In 2024, the AD secured three of the eight deputies for this constituency, behind the PS, which also has three parliamentarians, and ahead of Chega, with two.
