Lisbon, July 1, 2025 (Lusa) - The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said on Tuesday that he would “try to find out what happened” with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who requested that his income statements remain private.
“I will try to find out what happened. I was unaware of the matter, so I need more information before I can answer,” said the head of state when journalists questioned him on this matter at the Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon.
“What we need to do here is find out exactly what happened, to see if it is a matter of some significance. I mean, throughout my life I have encountered situations that are minor details and others that are serious, important and have greater political implications,” he added.
When asked about his concern for the scale of this case, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa replied: “I’m uncertain, I’m not concerned yet, because once I know the case, I can consider my concern.”
According to the president, “it is quite possible that this will also be discussed” at this week’s meeting with the Prime Minister, which will take place on “Thursday or Friday.”
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reiterated that he would provide a comment on this matter once he gathers the necessary information and, as for the effects it may have, he said that “it is important for the government to have stability, it is important for it to implement its programme, given the current situation in Europe and the world”.
When asked if he would ask Luís Montenegro for explanations at this week’s meeting, the head of state replied: “I intend to discuss all important matters, and the prime minister will discuss everything important in national and international affairs, so we will probably also discuss this issue.”
In response to the Lusa news agency, the Transparency Authority (EpT) confirmed on Tuesday that it has suspended the public consultation on the single declarations of income, assets, interests, incompatibilities, and impediments of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro until the Constitutional Court rules on the “requests for opposition” he made.
Correio da Manhã initially reported these requests, and Lusa confirmed them today.
“The Constitutional Court will assess the action challenging the decisions of the Transparency Authority before it decides on some of the requests for opposition to the single declarations that the Prime Minister submitted. This assessment has suspensive effects under the terms of Article 111(3) of the Law on the Organisation, Functioning and Procedure of the Constitutional Court,” reads the EdT’s response.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s office has stated that Luís Montenegro has requested opposition to the public consultation only on “some elements” of the income statements, which are part of the appeal lodged with the Constitutional Court.
“Given the recent news that requires clarification, the prime minister’s office explains that the request for opposition to certain elements in the single declaration submitted to the Transparency Authority concerns only issues that are part of the appeal lodged with the Constitutional Court,” reads a response sent to the Lusa news agency.
According to Luís Montenegro’s office, “the prime minister partially contested only elements that are already public knowledge (list of clients)”.
EdT noted that the legislation governing the exercise of political office provides for this type of request, particularly when the “interests of third parties or the protection of privacy” are at stake, and that until the authorities decide on the requests, “access to the elements to which the opposition relates and their possible publication are suspended.”
IEL/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
