The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, utilized the social network X (formerly Twitter) to respond to the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, who claimed it is “unacceptable” for the Prime Minister not to participate in television debates with Bloco de Esquerda, Livre, and PAN.
In his post, Luís Montenegro stated that “in the last year,” he took part in “18 debates in the Assembly of the Republic with all party leaders.”
“I do not avoid any debate, but democracy should respect that in a coalition, all partners with parliamentary representation can participate. The electoral campaign will not end without me engaging with everyone,” he emphasized.
This afternoon, Pedro Nuno Santos, also in a post on the social network X, assured that he would participate “in all television debates” with the remaining “party or coalition leaders.”
He also noted that Luís Montenegro’s refusal “is unacceptable” and reveals “fear.”
Pedro Nuno Santos views the “refusal” of the PSD leader to debate with BE, Livre, and PAN as “unacceptable.”
Various news outlets report that Luís Montenegro will only agree to debate with the leaders of PS, Chega, Iniciativa Liberal, and PCP, suggesting that the CDS leader, Nuno Melo, a coalition partner, should debate with BE, Livre, and PAN.
RTP, SIC, and TVI met on Tuesday with all parliamentary parties to propose repeating the debate model from 2024.
The three television networks presented a proposal to the parties aimed at repeating the debate format from the 2024 legislative elections, but the model has not been finalized.
[Updated at 16:37]
