“Government not limited in any way”
In Brussels this morning, for the emergency defence summit of EU leaders, Portugal’s prime minister Luís Montenegro has said the equivalent of “it’s business as usual”, even though the prospect of a snap election is on the horizon.
Mr Montenegro referred to the vote on the motion of confidence that is coming, “to explain the current situation in Portuguese politics”, say reports, but “refused to elaborate on the issue for the time being” – very possibly because matters in hand in Brussels today are much more important. Indeed, Mr Montenegro referred to them as “extraordinarily important.
“Our expectation is that we can take very big steps towards the EU’s participation in a peace process that everyone wants for Ukraine, with Ukraine”, he told assembled journalists.
In partnership with the European Commission, today’s meeting is focused on starting to “implement and design the plan to reinforce investments by member states in Defence”, he said, adding that to this end, the European Alliance will provide €150 billion in loans to member nations.
“The government is not limited in any way”
Asked if he feels weakened by the political crisis raging back home, the Prime Minister assured that he feels “in the fullness of his role”, writes SIC Notícias.
“The government is not limited in any way and so, naturally, Portuguese representation (in Brussels) is absolutely full and total.”
He went on to say that Portugal “is currently one of the most economically and financially stable countries within the European Union”, recalling that, at the end of 2024, economic growth expectations were exceeded, leading to the countrybeing hailed (along with neighbouring Spain) as part of the Iberian Miracle.
“Portugal is one of the few countries in the EU that has had a ‘surplus’, which is being repeated and which will continue in the coming years,” said the PM. “There is no reason to see Portugal as a focus of instability in the European Union, on the contrary”.
As to the wider meeting ongoing in Brussels, it is hugely significant in the light of recent events and statements coming from the United States.
For the first time in decades, the US is seen as ‘siding with Russia’ (viz the extraordinary vote in the UN security council last week) and is no longer being seen as a ‘reliable security partner’. Indeed, the Trump administration has blocked Ukraine’s access to critical intelligence that could spell the country’s downfall (albeit the decision may change now that President Zelenskyy appears to have mollified the US president by agreeing that he will sign the ‘minerals deal’, that Mr Trump thinks is so crucial to the benefit of his country).
