Speaking to journalists in parliament, Eurico Brilhante Dias expressed his views following Luís Montenegro’s interview on Antena 1, in which Montenegro was surprised by the PS’s threat to break with the Government and remarked that Chega “is beginning to show” more responsibility.
“This interview is another step in that direction. It is a step toward choosing, a choice made by the Prime Minister, to select the far-right as the preferred governing partner of the country,” the socialist noted.
Brilhante Dias stated that the PS “is open to democratic dialogue,” but “will not partake in implementing and normalizing an agenda harmful to the country and the Portuguese people.”
“Unfortunately, the Government chose to be radical and construct a radical right-wing bloc. It is difficult to speak, to dialogue, with those who do not wish to converse within the democratic framework,” he lamented.
From the perspective of the PS parliamentary leader, this interview marks “another step in normalizing the far-right” and its ideas.
“The PS serves the country, whether in opposition or in government, and serves the nation by solving problems,” he assured.
With issues in hospital emergency rooms, aerial service acquisitions for medical emergencies, or housing prices, Brilhante Dias felt that the Prime Minister “aligned himself with the far-right agenda” and created “a radical right-wing bloc.”
“He chose his partner, his preferred partner, embraced the far-right agenda, and continues not to resolve the essential problems of the Portuguese,” he accused.
The PS official assured that the party “is a firm and alternative opposition” and “has a positive, moderate, centrist, credible solution agenda,” indicating that the socialist leader “has shown openness to, in opposition, be the opposition that guarantees democratic normalcy and moderate solutions.”
“The PS serves the country and has said from day one it was willing to ensure the Government was not handed over to the far-right to survive. Therefore, it made proposals in the defense area, in medical emergency coordination, and today makes a proposal in the housing credit area, especially for people with disabilities and their families,” he listed.
In an interview on Antena 1’s ‘Política com Assinatura,’ Luís Montenegro reiterated that he has no preferred or exclusive partner for dialogue, considering André Ventura’s party “normalized” long ago, and called on PS to show “democratic humility in this new political time.”
“We are in the first month of the legislature, and this week the PS has threatened a rupture with the Government. But does anyone perceive dramatization, a radicalization like this in the PS, contrary to the political line more expected today from the current leadership? I find myself a little surprised,” he stated, admitting he has also faced “very difficult moments” within his party.
The Prime Minister expressed surprise at the PS’s threat to break with the Government, stating that the party “is not used” to being in opposition, and commented that Chega “is beginning to show” greater responsibility.
Lusa | 07:00 – 21/07/2025
