During the aftermath of the electoral night, Luís Montenegro addressed questions regarding the situation, which elicited boos from the audience. Montenegro stated, “The objective reason that led to the calling of early elections was the rejection of a motion of confidence in the Assembly of the Republic.”
He continued, “What I can say is that the vote of confidence the Portuguese people gave the Government today is enough for everyone to assume their respective responsibilities, show true respect for the will of the Portuguese people, and demonstrate the political maturity of themselves, their political forces, and our democracy collectively.”
He added, “It will be an exercise that nobody will understand if politicians are not capable of interpreting the people’s will.”
Montenegro reiterated that the Portuguese people “do not want another Government nor another prime minister.”
“This Government and this prime minister do not wish to impose on any of the political alternatives from the opposition. Nor do they want the opposition to be forced to adhere to the Government’s programmatic principles. What we demand, in fulfilling the will of the Portuguese people, is that, following the rules of democracy, we be allowed to govern or, as we have simply put it during the election campaign, be allowed to work,” he appealed.
