The office of the Prime Minister has confirmed that António Leitão Amaro will step in during Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s absence abroad. The official communication naming Leitão Amaro, who ranks fourth in the hierarchy of the XXIV Constitutional Government, was sent to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, have traveled to Rome today to attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday. Also attending the funeral will be President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.
With Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, the Minister of Finance, currently engaged in the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, the government has adhered to its protocol hierarchy. Consequently, Leitão Amaro’s appointment as acting Prime Minister has been forwarded to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
According to the Constitution of the Republic, in the absence of a Deputy Prime Minister, the acting Prime Minister is appointed in their absence or impediment. This is done either through designation by the President of the Republic or by nomination from the President under the guidance provided by the Prime Minister.
