In response to a request by the sole deputy of the JPP, the office of José Pedro Aguiar-Branco cited the standing commission’s regulations as the reason for denying the request. These regulations state that only parliamentary groups can request an extraordinary meeting of this body, which operates when parliamentary sessions are suspended.
Article 6 of the regulation notes that “the standing commission may meet extraordinarily upon the President of the Assembly of the Republic’s call, either on his initiative or at the request of any parliamentary group, with leader consultations required in such cases.”
The parliament president’s office elaborated that since a sole party representative does not legally equate to a parliamentary group, there is no sufficient basis for calling an extraordinary meeting of the standing commission.
It was also mentioned that the JPP could bring their proposal to debate at the next leaders’ conference, scheduled for September 10.
The JPP sought the immediate hearing of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Administration or, alternatively, a debate with these two government officials in a new meeting of the standing commission.
The party indicated they hoped the request would prompt a call for an extraordinary leaders’ conference in the coming days to discuss the proposal.
Prior to the parliamentary recess, a meeting of the parliamentary standing commission was scheduled for September 10, seven days before the first plenary session of the month.
Before Aguiar-Branco’s response was known, Lusa sought comments from the two major opposition parties, Chega and PS, with only the socialists responding. The PS stated they would not oppose a proposal for the standing commission to meet but emphasized the focus should remain on combating fires and supporting affected populations.
The standing commission of the Assembly of the Republic operates during parliamentary recesses and is tasked with overseeing constitutional compliance and monitoring government activities.
