“I will not disclose the composition of the government, nor anticipate discussions with other parties, much less speak of a hypothetical constitutional revision,” declared the PSD president in response to journalists at the end of the election night.
Following the political landscape resulting from Sunday’s legislative elections, the AD (PSD/CDS-PP) and the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition in the Azores, together with IL and Chega, have over two-thirds of the deputies, currently totaling 156 elected out of 230, with four mandates still to be allocated due to the emigration vote.
A majority of two-thirds of deputies, totaling 154, is required to approve constitutional changes and is also the minimum needed to elect judges to the Constitutional Court, the Ombudsman, the president of the Economic and Social Council, and members of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, among other bodies.
However, at this stage, the PSD president refused to discuss the possibility of a constitutional revision without the necessary support of the PS, marking a first in democratic history.
Luís Montenegro, referring to future relations with other political forces, promised dialogue, always mentioning “oppositions” without indicating a preference for either Chega or the PS.
The PSD leader also declined to express a preference for the future leader of the PS, following Pedro Nuno Santos’ announcement of his resignation as the secretary-general of the socialists.
“As for choosing political leaders of other parties, that’s out of the question,” he reacted.
Regarding dialogue with the opposition, he stated: “With calmness and a sense of responsibility, after speaking with respect for the voters and other parties and political figures, without needing to attack or offend anyone.”
In the new political context, Luís Montenegro called for elevation and cordiality in the functioning of democracy, through the confrontation of ideas that often do not converge, with a sense of responsibility.
“We will do this with a deep conviction that we rise to the demands placed upon us and that the people expect from us,” he added.
