Lisbon, July 21, 2026 (Lusa) - The prime minister expressed surprise at the PS’s threat to break with the government, saying that this party “is still learning” what it means to be in opposition, and considered that Chega “is beginning to show” greater responsibility.

In an interview with Antena 1’s “Política com Assinatura” programme, PM Luís Montenegro reiterated that he remains open to dialogue with all parties, considered that the party led by André Ventura “has been normalised” for a long time and called on the PS to show “democratic humility in this new political era”.

“We are in the first month of the legislative session, and this week the Socialists (PS) signalled a possible shift away from the government. Does anyone see this dramatisation, this radicalisation within the PS, as a departure from the political line that was most expected today from the current leadership? I am somewhat surprised,” he said, acknowledging that he has also experienced “very difficult moments” within his party.

Faced with criticism that the PSD is normalising Chega, Montenegro replied: “I think Portuguese political life has long since normalised Chega,” he said, recalling some bills passed in the last legislature with the votes of this party and the PS.

“It’s a familiar thing, when Chega votes with the PS it’s normal, when Chega votes with the PSD it’s presented as unusual, are we the ones normalising it?” he asked.

In the interview that journalist Natália Carvalho conducted, Montenegro clarified the statement he made last week, in which he stated that the PS and Chega are both “alternatives for government,” pointing out that they have “equivalent, similar representation.”

“That’s how it is in a democracy. Everyone who accepts this shows respect for the will of the Portuguese people, and I act in that way,” he assured.

As for which party he considers more trustworthy, he said that his principle is “to trust everyone” and to expect a “constructive spirit” from both. However, he reiterated that the PS has “a history of greater reliability, greater capacity for democratic dialogue and greater political responsibility”.

However, he added that the government is counting on Chega “to show the responsibility it is now beginning to show.”

“It costs me nothing to say it, it is beginning to show now, let’s see if it continues, let’s see if this is a sustained effort or a brief moment, and whether it is a consistent trajectory,” he said.

Regarding the PS, he argued that “it must redefine its strategy in the coming years to transcend its history over the previous 50 years”. He noted that this party “is still adjusting to the opposition” after governing for 23 of the last 30 years.

“This period has pampered the PS, and the PS must now cultivate the democratic humility to excel in opposition,” he appealed.

Montenegro said he had “well-founded expectations that the two largest opposition parties” would be able to pass the State Budget for 2026 and called on the PS and Chega to work separately, for example, on measures other than approving a permanent increase in pensions.

“Last year we crossed this line, and I hope it stays an exception, because it jeopardises the conditions for governability and is irresponsible,” he said, considering that the country only has the financial conditions to assess, on an annual basis, the possibility of a one-off bonus for pensioners, as will happen again in September.

On public accounts, Montenegro argued that the government’s distribution has succeeded only thanks to “very rigorous” budget management. He said he would do everything to ensure that Portugal maintains balance and builds on its exemplary position at the European level.

They asked if this was a tribute to former PS Prime Minister António Costa, and he preferred to highlight his PSD predecessor: “It is a tribute I pay to Pedro Passos Coelho and the governments that have since realised that balancing the public accounts is a prerequisite for effective government policy, including financial and economic measures.”

On international matters, the prime minister acknowledged that the government “seeks improvements” in the first version of the EU budget, anticipating “intense months of negotiation,” and recognised that US tariffs could have “significant impacts” on Portugal.

Even so, he argued that it was necessary to “follow a cautious line” and favour “more measured impulses”, avoiding immediate retaliation and preferring coordination at the European level.

SMA/ADB // ADB.

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