The leader of the PAN party, Inês Sousa Real, has criticized Luís Montenegro for allegedly hiding “behind Nuno Melo” following reports that the Prime Minister will not participate in televised debates with three parties—Bloco de Esquerda, PAN, and Livre—and will instead have the president of CDS-PP represent him.
“After dragging the country into yet another political crisis because he wanted to avoid scrutiny, Luís Montenegro is now avoiding debates with all parties in parliament, hiding behind Nuno Melo, who incidentally is the Minister of National Defense and not of personal defense,” Inês Sousa Real posted on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
In response to accusations from the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS) regarding his avoidance of debates, that he does not avoid any debate but believes “democracy must respect that in a coalition, all partners with parliamentary representation can participate.”
Depois de ter arrastado o país para mais uma crise política, porque quis fugir ao escrutínio, Luís Montenegro foge agora ao debate com todos os partidos com assento parlamentar e esconde-se atrás de Nuno Melo, que já agora é Ministro da Defesa nacional e não da Defesa Pessoal!
— Inês Sousa Real (@InesSousaReal) March 26, 2025
Recent reports suggest the Prime Minister has agreed to engage in debates only with the leaders of the PS, Chega, Iniciativa Liberal, and PCP. Nuno Melo, the coalition partner and leader of CDS, is indicated to stand in for debates with Bloco de Esquerda, Livre, and PAN.
