Corruption remains a “serious problem that affects citizens’ trust in institutions,” the government recognises
After months of delay, the Portuguese government has finally published its long-promised risk prevention plan to fight corruption, more than eight months later than promised.
The plan, published today (June 5) in the State gazette Diário da República, is designed to “minimise the risks of conflicts of interest and increase transparency among government officials and their staff”. Its release had been expected by October 2024, following the adoption of the government’s code of conduct earlier that year. But despite the legally set 180-day deadline, the plan was only signed by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in February and published publicly now, in June.
In the newly released document, the government acknowledges that corruption remains “a serious problem that affects the quality of democracy, the efficiency of public management, the equitable distribution of resources and citizens’ trust in institutions”.
The plan outlines 33 specific measures aimed at addressing situations that pose a high risk of conflict of interest, including those related to public procurement, asset management, the legislative process, and discretionary administrative decisions. There are also provisions for regulating multiple office-holding, access to sensitive databases, and the role of public entities with delegated authority. Key among the measures is the requirement that all government members submit and keep current a declaration of income, assets, and interests, as well as any incompatibilities or impediments, to the Transparency Authority.
The plan also calls for mandatory training on conflict of interest prevention, ensuring that ministers and cabinet members are better prepared to identify and avoid ethical pitfalls. Where potential conflicts do arise, officials are expected to take “appropriate measures” – including requesting recusal or abstaining from decisions when substitution isn’t feasible.
The document was drafted in collaboration with MENAC, the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism, and its implementation is now considered the responsibility of each individual minister.
