Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Luís Montenegro, who was appointed Prime Minister on Thursday, expressing anticipation for the “continued close and fruitful cooperation” between Ukraine and Portugal.
“I congratulate Luís Montenegro on his reinstatement as Prime Minister. Ukraine deeply values Portugal’s firm support and constant friendship in the face of brutal Russian aggression,” Zelensky wrote in a post on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
“I am confident that our partnership will continue to successfully strengthen in building a safer and more prosperous Europe. I look forward to the continuation of our close and fruitful cooperation. Best wishes for much success, Mr. Prime Minister,” the Ukrainian head of state concluded.
I congratulate Luís Montenegro on his reinstatement as Prime Minister. Ukraine deeply values the firm support and constant friendship of Portugal in the face of brutal Russian aggression.
I am confident that our partnership will continue to strengthen successfully in building…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 29, 2025
Today, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, appointed Luís Montenegro as Prime Minister. The appointment occurred after a brief meeting at the Belém Palace, following consultations with PSD, Chega, and PS earlier that day.
The appointment and government inauguration “will occur after the publication of the final election results and the constitutive meeting of the new legislature of the Assembly of the Republic.”
Notícias ao Minuto with Lusa | 18:32 – 29/05/2025
The Prime Minister’s appointment came 11 days after the early legislative elections on May 18, which the AD (PSD/CDS-PP) won without an absolute majority.
From Tuesday to Friday last week, the head of state met with the ten parties that elected deputies in the early legislative elections of May 18: PSD, PS, Chega, IL, Livre, PCP, CDS-PP, BE, PAN, and JPP.
Today, following the tallying of results from the emigrant constituencies, which elect four deputies, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa held additional meetings with PS, Chega, and PSD.
Article 187 of the Portuguese Republic Constitution states that “the Prime Minister is appointed by the President of the Republic, after hearing the parties represented in the Assembly of the Republic and considering the electoral results.”
Led by Luís Montenegro, the AD (PSD/CDS-PP) coalition won the legislative elections with approximately 31% of the vote—31.79%, combining the votes of AD on the mainland and Madeira with those of the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition in the Azores.
According to the results finalized on Wednesday, the two coalition parties elected 91 deputies out of 230, with 89 from PSD and two from CDS-PP.
Luís Montenegro, who has been Prime Minister since April 2 of last year after an eight-year cycle of PS governance, will form his second government, the XXV Constitutional Government.
