“Being responsible means not mixing politics with business, which cannot happen, and it has happened in Portugal. We have a duty to denounce it. No one can complain in the future about unpleasant surprises,” argued Pedro Nuno Santos at the conclusion of a televised debate between the Socialist Party (PS) and the AD coalition—comprising the PSD and CDS-PP—held at Nova SBE University in Carcavelos, Lisbon.
The socialist leader dismissed any comparisons between the case involving the Prime Minister’s former company, Spinumviva, and his father’s company, which he noted has “almost 50 years” in business with “a product known in the market.”
“Moreover, the company is not mine, nor my wife’s, nor my son’s. (…) In fact, it serves democracy poorly when two realities that have nothing to do with each other are mixed,” he criticized.
Pedro Nuno Santos insisted he has always been “completely transparent” and has “nothing to hide,” distancing himself from the PSD leader.
When asked about his intention to propose a parliamentary inquiry into the Spinumviva controversy, which raised opposition concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving the Prime Minister, the socialist leader reiterated that such action “depends mainly on Luís Montenegro.”
“What is evident to me is that Luís Montenegro will not provide the missing clarifications before the end of the campaign, so it remains on the agenda,” he added.
The former socialist minister affirmed his focus on “the country and solutions for the problems of the Portuguese” and ensuring political stability, once again accusing Montenegro of being “the main factor of political instability in Portugal.”
“We need to close this chapter and start a new cycle in the country,” he argued.
When questioned about whether the PS would ensure stability if they lose the election, Pedro Nuno simply replied that he is focused on “talking with the Portuguese people,” presenting his solutions, and winning.
“That is the only thing we are currently focusing on, and we feel the strength in the streets that we will indeed win these elections,” he remarked.
The official campaign period begins on May 4, with the legislative elections scheduled for May 18.
