Montenegro vows to work with opposition and “seek convergence”
Portugal’s 25th Constitutional Government has officially taken office, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro calling for responsibility from everyone to ensure yet another government does not fall before completing its term.
At a formal ceremony held at the Ajuda Palace in Lisbon, Montenegro and his 16-member cabinet were sworn in by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, just 18 days after Aliança Democrática coalition (AD) secured a stronger parliamentary presence in early elections. Although falling short of an outright majority, AD emerged as the largest force in the assembly with 91 MPs — a gain of 11 seats compared to the previous year.
In his inaugural address, Montenegro called for cooperation and accountability. “Political stability is everyone’s responsibility,” he said, underlining the need for responsibility and maturity across the political spectrum. He thanked President Marcelo for his “impeccable cooperation” and vowed to maintain a “firm and loyal institutional relationship.”
The ‘new’ PM said that May 18’s results show that “the people have decided to reinforce their confidence in the political project” of the AD coalition by giving it a “larger majority, with significant representation compared to the second and third political forces.”
Montenegro said he accepts this confidence with a “sense of responsibility” but also recognised the large numbers of voters who put their faith in the opposition parties, led for the first time by CHEGA, followed by the Socialist Party (PS).
“And it is with humility that we listen to and understand the confidence that has been placed in the opposition, which we will respect and listen to, seeking the convergence that the people demand,” he said.
