The prime minister’s office clarified today that the request for opposition to the public consultation of his income declaration concerns only “certain elements” included in the appeal presented to the Constitutional Court.
“In light of incorrect and misleading news reports published in recent days, the prime minister’s office clarifies that the opposition request regarding some elements in the single declaration submitted to the Entity for Transparency pertains solely to matters included in the appeal brought to the Constitutional Court,” a statement sent in response to Lusa noted.
The office of Luís Montenegro added that “the prime minister only contested certain elements, which are already publicly known (list of clients).”
Based on written responses from the Entity for Transparency (EpT), Lusa reported that the prime minister, Luís Montenegro, submitted requests against the public consultation of his income statements, which are suspended pending a final decision by the Constitutional Court.
These requests were initially reported by Correio da Manhã and confirmed today to Lusa.
The Entity for Transparency explained that the content of these requests is confidential, confirming only that the prime minister has submitted opposition requests to the public consultation and that these requests, along with access to Luís Montenegro’s statements, are subject to review by the Constitutional Court, without any date provided for resolving the process.
“The decision on some of the requests objecting to the single declarations submitted by the prime minister depends on the Constitutional Court’s review of the appeal against the Entity for Transparency’s decisions, which under paragraph 3 of article 111 of the Law on the Organization, Functioning, and Procedure of the Constitutional Court, has a suspensive effect,” the response read.
The Entity for Transparency further clarified that the legislation regulating the exercise of political office provides for such requests, especially when “the interest of third parties or the protection of private life is at stake,” and that until a final decision is made, “access to the elements opposed and their possible publication are suspended.”
Currently, Transparency added, the declarations pending a decision are marked with a padlock in the public access area of the Entity for Transparency’s electronic platform, accompanied by the message: “A request for opposition to public consultation has been submitted by the holder and is currently under review by the EpT. Therefore, the declaration cannot be consulted.”
