A political complaint has emerged as the Socialist Party (PS) contends that a recent invitation constitutes institutional advertising prohibited during the electoral period, given that the legislative elections set for May 18 have been announced.
The PS argues that there is a “violation of duties of neutrality or impartiality,” advocating for the initiation of an appropriate regulatory process.
The complaint outlines that “the PSD/Porto local branch sent a message to its members to gather at the Bolhão Market to greet the Prime Minister and party leader,” with the message quoted in its entirety.
“Dear member, please be informed that tomorrow, April 2, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro will be in the city of Porto for a Council of Ministers meeting marking one year of governance. The Prime Minister will arrive at the Bolhão Market at 10:20 AM and will depart by 12:30 PM. All are invited to meet our President,” the message reads.
This afternoon, at a press conference at the PS headquarters in Lisbon, socialist Marcos Perestrello accused the government of “the instrumentalization of the state” to serve party interests and of blurring the lines between private, public, and party matters, alleging that the administration is campaigning for the PSD.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has denied any breach of “duties of neutrality and impartiality” during the Council of Ministers at the Bolhão Market in Porto, where he appeared alongside announced Porto mayoral candidate, Pedro Duarte.
Following the Council of Ministers meeting at Bolhão Market, the ministers, led by Montenegro, walked to a lunch venue on Rua Santa Catarina, using the opportunity to greet the public.
The government clarified it had informed all parliamentary groups about the Council of Ministers held in Porto, inviting deputies from all parties, as is customary for such events.
This clarification was communicated by a government source after Prime Minister Luís Montenegro was questioned about sending messages to PSD members to be present at Bolhão Market, which he claimed to be unaware of.
