The format for the upcoming televised debates is expected to mirror that of the previous legislative cycle and has already sparked controversy. Reports in various media suggest that Luís Montenegro is willing to debate only with the leaders of PS, Chega, Iniciativa Liberal, and PCP. He has designated Nuno Melo, the CDS-PP leader and partner in the Democratic Alliance coalition, to engage with BE, Livre, and PAN.
This stance by Montenegro has drawn criticism from the PS’s Secretary-General. Pedro Nuno Santos has accused him of categorizing political parties into “first-class and second-class” and asserted that avoiding debates demonstrates fear and is a troubling sign for a prime ministerial candidate.
“I will participate in all televised debates with other party or coalition leaders. That’s how it should be,” Pedro Nuno Santos stated on social media.
According to the PS leader, Montenegro’s refusal to engage with BE, Livre, and PAN is unacceptable.
I will participate in all televised debates with other party or coalition leaders. That’s how it should be.
Montenegro’s refusal to engage with BE, Livre, and PAN is unacceptable. Avoiding debate shows fear and a worrying pattern in a prime ministerial candidate… pic.twitter.com/IrzbLRN5Pv
— Pedro Nuno Santos (@PNSpedronuno) March 26, 2025
In defense, the Prime Minister and PSD leader emphasized that all coalition partners with parliamentary representation should be involved in legislative debates.
“Last year I participated in 18 debates in the Assembly of the Republic with all party leaders. I don’t avoid any debates, but democracy must respect that in a coalition all partners with parliamentary representation can participate, and the electoral campaign will not end without me debating with everyone,” he proclaimed via social media.
Last year I participated in 18 debates in the Assembly of the Republic with all party leaders. I don’t avoid any debates, but democracy must ensure that in a coalition all partners with parliamentary representation participate. And the electoral campaign will not end without…
— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegro_PT) March 26, 2025
Chega’s president, André Ventura, accused the Prime Minister of “political cowardice” and of being afraid to engage in debates with all parliamentary parties ahead of the May 18 legislative elections.
“It’s regrettable that the Prime Minister refuses to debate with other parliamentary forces, clearly trying to avoid the debates,” Ventura commented during a press conference at the party’s national headquarters in Lisbon.
Ventura argued that Montenegro recognizes the debates will be challenging and uncomfortable, and thus he wishes to delegate the debates to someone not running for prime minister, which is the CDS president.
Notably, on Tuesday, RTP, SIC, and TVI met with parliamentary parties to present the proposal to repeat the 2024 debate format.
Notícias ao Minuto | 16:11 – 26/03/2025
Meanwhile, Montenegro’s decision also faced criticism from the BE coordinator, who accused him of being fearful and selectively choosing opponents but assured that she would not shy away from confronting the CDS-PP leader, although she insists the campaign must end with a debate with the Prime Minister.
“I understand that Luís Montenegro does not wish to debate with me, but fear is not a plausible reason to avoid such an important electoral debate vital to enlighten citizens at this time of elections, especially unexpected ones caused by the Prime Minister’s decisions,” stated Mariana Mortágua during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Lisbon.
The controversy involves reports that Luís Montenegro will not attend televised debates with the Bloco de Esquerda, PAN, and Livre.
Notícias ao Minuto | 16:56 – 26/03/2025
Mortágua emphasized that “never in democracy has a prime ministerial candidate cherry-picked which opponents to debate with” and challenged Luís Montenegro to a debate during this election campaign, asserting that should he refuse, he would be the “first candidate in democratic history not to debate with all adversaries.”
Does Luís Montenegro fear the Bloco? I challenge him not to avoid debating with me. pic.twitter.com/4dLcaEGr1n
— mariana mortágua (@MRMortagua) March 26, 2025
Meanwhile, PAN accused Luís Montenegro of hiding “behind Nuno Melo” after “dragging the country into another political crisis.” Inês Sousa Real pointed out that Nuno Melo is the “Minister of National Defense, not personal defense.”
After dragging the country into another political crisis, seeking to avoid scrutiny, Luís Montenegro now avoids debates with all parliamentary parties and hides behind Nuno Melo, who is Minister of National Defense, not Personal Defense!
— Inês Sousa Real (@InesSousaReal) March 26, 2025
The National Councils of PSD and CDS-PP are meeting today and are expected to approve the re-formation of a pre-election coalition for the anticipated May 18 legislative elections.
In the previous legislative elections on March 10 last year, the AD coalition (comprising PSD, CDS-PP, and PPM) narrowly defeated the PS by about 50,000 votes, with PSD electing 78 deputies, the same number as PS, and CDS-PP two.
Discussions between parties and television channels to set the debate formats took place on Tuesday, but no final agreement was reached.
The President announced on March 13 the dissolution of Parliament and called early elections for May 18 following the PSD/CDS-PP government’s resignation. This resignation occurred after the parliament rejected a vote of confidence in the executive on March 11, amidst ongoing concerns regarding the Prime Minister’s personal and professional dealings with the company, Spinumviva.
