PS or Chega? I have a principle of "not distrusting anyone"

In an interview with Antena 1's "Política com Assinatura" program, Luís Montenegro reiterated that he does not have a preferred or exclusive partner for dialogue, considered that the party led by André Ventura "has been normalized" for a long time and called on the PS to show "democratic humility in this new political era."

" We're in the first month of the legislature, and this week the PS threatened to break with the government. But does anyone see such a dramatic, radicalization within the PS, even contrary to the political line that was most expected from the current leadership? I myself am a little surprised," she stated, admitting that she has also experienced "very difficult times" within her party.

Faced with criticism that the PSD is normalizing Chega, Montenegro responded: "I think Chega has been normalized in Portuguese political life for a long time," he said, recalling some legislation approved in the last legislature with the votes of this party and the PS.

"It's not something new, when Chega votes with the PS it's normal, when Chega votes with the PSD it's not normal anymore, are we the ones normalizing it?" he asked.

In the interview conducted by journalist Natália Carvalho, Montenegro framed the statement he made last week that PS and Chega are both "government alternatives", highlighting that they have "equivalent, similar representation".

"That's how it is in democracy, whoever is offended by this is essentially offended by the will of the Portuguese people, and I don't do that," he assured.

Regarding which party he considers more trustworthy, he said his principle is "not to distrust anyone" and he expects a "constructive spirit" from both, although reiterating that the PS has "a history of greater reliability, a greater capacity for democratic dialogue, and greater political responsibility."

However, he added that the Government is counting on the responsibility that Chega "may show, which it has not shown up until now, but is now beginning to show."

"It doesn't cost me anything to say it, it's starting to show now, let's see if it continues, let's see if this is a short-lived sun, if it's just a flash in the pan or if it's a consistent trajectory," he said.

Regarding the PS, he argued that "it will not survive in the coming years due to the history it had in the previous 50 years" and considered that this party "is not used to being in opposition", after governing 23 years of the last 30.

"This has spoiled the PS, and the PS must have the democratic humility to know how to be in opposition," he appealed.

Montenegro said he had "well-founded expectations that the two largest opposition parties" could make the 2026 State Budget viable and called on the PS and Chega parties not to join forces again to, for example, approve a permanent increase in pensions.

"It was a line that was crossed last year and I hope it will be an exception, because it jeopardizes the conditions of governance and is irresponsible," he noted, considering that the country only has the financial means to evaluate, annually, the possibility of a one-off bonus for retirees, as will happen again in September.

Regarding public finances, Montenegro argued that the government's distribution has only been possible thanks to "very rigorous" budget management and guaranteed that he will do everything possible to ensure that Portugal does not return to periods of imbalance, highlighting that the country's situation is considered exemplary at the European level.

When asked if this was a tribute to former PS Prime Minister António Costa, he preferred to highlight his PSD predecessor: "It is a tribute I pay to Pedro Passos Coelho and the governments that, since then, have understood that balancing public accounts is not the end of government policy, nor financial, and much less economic, but it is a prerequisite."

On international matters, the Prime Minister admitted that the Government is "not satisfied" with the first version of the Community Budget, anticipating "intense months of negotiations", and acknowledged that US tariffs could have "significant impacts" on Portugal.

Still, he argued that it was necessary to "follow a line of prudence" and reject "more hasty impulses", such as immediate retaliation, preferring coordination at the European level.

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