The Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, is currently under a preventive investigation due to suspicions surrounding the purchase of two houses: one in Lisbon and another in Montemor-o-Novo, Évora district. In response, the socialist leader has shared all documentation related to the properties on a website dedicated to the legislative elections, remarking, “Who has nothing to hide, fears nothing.”
The initiation of this inquiry was reported by Observador and later confirmed by Lusa through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which indicated that the investigation is “following the reception of complaints and aims to gather evidence.”
The preventive inquiry is being conducted by the Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DCIAP), which handles complex economic and financial crime cases, as outlined in Law 36/94, September 29th, concerning Anti-Corruption Measures and Economic and Financial Crime.
These properties, now under suspicion, were already a source of controversy in November 2023, after the magazine Sábado reported that Pedro Nuno Santos had not disclosed how he paid for a house worth 740,000 euros.
Suspicions are raised over the acquisition of two properties by Pedro Nuno Santos.
Notícias ao Minuto with Lusa | 16:32 – 16/04/2025
What’s at Stake? And What Says Pedro Nuno?
On Wednesday, upon learning of the situation, Pedro Nuno Santos stated that “who has nothing to hide fears nothing” and highlighted that “the truth is public,” despite the complaints “being anonymous.”
He also expressed surprise about the timing and publicization of the news, saying it was peculiar to him, “as it must be to all Portuguese.”
“I have always been transparent and ready to clarify any issue. Unlike Luís Montenegro, I am not afraid of public scrutiny nor the scrutiny by the Public Prosecutor,” he added in his initial response.
Pedro Nuno Santos asserted he has always been “transparent” and open to “clarifications.” “Unlike Luís Montenegro, I am not afraid,” he countered. It should be noted that the Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a preventive inquiry involving the PS Secretary-General.
Notícias ao Minuto with Lusa | 20:41 – 16/04/2025
On the following day, Thursday, the
They can be consulted here.
From Shock to the “Role” of Justice: Reactions
Over the past hours, several political figures from across the spectrum have reacted to the situation—expressing “shock,” demanding explanations, while avoiding a campaign of “cases large and small.”
Luís Montenegro
Prime Minister and PSD President Luís Montenegro stated that he does not need to “personally attack” anyone to argue his points, referring to this case. The Prime Minister also said it is not his place to assess Pedro Nuno Santos’ decision, who has presented documents related to the purchase of two homes in Lisbon and Montemor-o-Novo and made himself available to be heard by the Public Prosecutor.
Pressed by journalists, the Prime Minister stressed, “I don’t need to personally attack anyone to win my arguments.”
The Prime Minister and PSD President stated this Thursday he does not need to “personally attack” anyone to validate his arguments, referencing the case of the socialist leader’s homes, which are under preventive assessment by the Public Prosecutor.
Lusa | 20:27 – 17/04/2025
Chega
Meanwhile, Chega’s President André Ventura expressed “shock” at the value of the two properties acquired by the socialist Secretary-General, estimating the cost to be between 1.3 and 1.4 million euros, and demanded to know if public funds were involved in the transactions. Ventura asserted there are “contradictions” in Pedro Nuno Santos’ various statements regarding the matter.
“Initially, it seemed there was help from a certain family circle, but now the explanation seems different regarding how those funds were obtained,” he questioned. “How does a politician acquire such assets?” he wondered, “especially when both are public office holders.”
Chega’s President expressed “shock” this Thursday at the value of the two properties acquired by the socialist Secretary-General, estimating costs between 1.3 and 1.4 million euros, and demanded to know if public funds were involved.
Lusa | 19:00 – 17/04/2025
Bloco de Esquerda
Coordinator of Bloco de Esquerda, Mariana Mortágua, refused to expand on the topic to avoid fueling an electoral campaign over “cases.”
“I want to talk about people’s problems, and if I’m meeting with them, I must discuss issues like lithium and their lives rather than fill public debate with distractions. If the Public Prosecutor is to inquire, let them. We shouldn’t spend weeks mulling over minor matters while grave concerns persist in our country like environmental destruction, territory, and housing issues,” Mortágua declared in Montalegre last Wednesday.
Mariana Mortágua wants to focus the electoral campaign on “people’s problems.”
Cátia Carmo | 19:28 – 16/04/2025
PCP
The General Secretary of the PCP underscored the importance of quickly clarifying the matter involving the acquisition of two houses by the PS leader and expressed disbelief in potential “timing manipulation” by judicial authorities.
“A procedure is undergoing, there will be a need for judicial statements, and I believe it is in everyone’s best interest that this matter be promptly clarified,” stated Paulo Raimundo, who, when asked if he found it odd that news about the case surfaced close to legislative elections, replied: “I don’t want to believe there was any timing manipulation.”
The General Secretary of the PCP today highlighted the importance of swiftly addressing the issue involving the PS leader’s house acquisitions and expressed disbelief in potential “timing manipulation” by judicial bodies.
Lusa | 13:45 – 17/04/2025
PAN
PAN’s spokesperson, Inês Sousa Real, regretted the presence of anonymous complaints leading to a preventive investigation into the PS Secretary-General, warning of the risk of “opportunism during the electoral campaign.”
Inês de Sousa Real argued that all politicians “should be subject to scrutiny and account to the Portuguese,” and hoped that “justice will now do its part” regarding the data provided by the PS Secretary-General, so the “campaign remains untainted by these cases large and small.”
PAN’s spokesperson, Inês Sousa Real, expressed regret this Thursday regarding anonymous complaints triggering a preventive inquiry on the PS Secretary-General, cautioning against “opportunism during the electoral campaign.”
Lusa | 17:06 – 17/04/2025
Partido Socialista
Former Finance Minister Fernando Medina involving the PS Secretary-General, accusing the Public Prosecutor of “reinforcing publicity” to anonymous complaints dismissed in 2024.
Fernando Medina also criticized political opponents who, “under the guise of anonymous complaints,” exploited the situation to attack Pedro Nuno Santos.
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