A complaint has been filed by the Socialist Party (PS), expressing concerns that a recent invitation constitutes institutional advertising, which is prohibited during the electoral period, given that the legislative elections scheduled for May 18 have been announced.
The PS argues that the issue at hand is a “violation of the duties of neutrality or impartiality,” prompting them to call for the initiation of the corresponding administrative offense proceedings.
The complaint details that “the PSD/Porto local committee sent a message to its members, encouraging them to attend the Bolhão Market and greet the Prime Minister and party leader,” providing the full text of the message.
“Dear member, please be informed that tomorrow, April 2, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro will be in Porto, attending a Council of Ministers meeting marking one year of governance. The Prime Minister will arrive at Bolhão Market at 10:20 a.m. and depart at 12:30 p.m. All are invited to greet our President,” the message states.
This afternoon, at a press conference held at the PS headquarters in Lisbon, socialist Marcos Perestrello accused the government of “using the state for party interests” and of “blurred lines between private, public, and party affairs,” accusing the executive of “campaigning for the PSD.”
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro denied accusations of violating “duties of neutrality and impartiality” by holding a Council of Ministers meeting at Bolhão Market in Porto. He was accompanied by Pedro Duarte, the recently announced candidate for Porto’s mayoral race.
Following the Council of Ministers meeting, which took place at Bolhão Market in Porto, Montenegro’s team proceeded on foot to a lunch on Rua Santa Catarina, where they interacted with locals by shaking hands and offering well wishes.
The government clarified that all parliamentary groups were informed about the Council of Ministers meeting in Porto and that deputies from all parties were invited, as is customary for such visits.
This clarification was made by a government source after Prime Minister Luís Montenegro was questioned about the messages sent to PSD members, encouraging them to attend the Bolhão Market event, which he claimed to be unaware of.
