Luís Montenegro assembles a heavyweight Government with no far-right ministers

Luís Montenegro returned to the Belém Palace a week after being ordered by the President of the Republic to form a Government. In a brief hearing with the Head of State, he revealed the chosen names for his team. The list, previously kept secret, was released shortly after. Montenegro surrounded himself with a team of political heavyweights in preparation for uncertain and unstable times due to its parliamentary weakness.

Key positions in the new Government have been assigned to prominent figures. MEP Paulo Rangel will handle Foreign Affairs, while Joaquim Miranda Sarmiento will serve as Minister of Finance. Another important figure, Miguel Pinto Luz, will oversee Infrastructure and Housing. The team faces significant challenges, such as TAP’s privatization and housing issues affecting the middle class and youth.

Miranda Sarmiento inherits a positive fiscal scenario, with the largest budget surplus in 50 years. This surplus will allow the new team to address demands for salary improvements in various professional groups. Despite pressure, Montenegro excluded the far-right party Chega from the Government, causing tension between him and its leader, André Ventura.

The new Cabinet includes seven women in key ministerial positions. Montenegro’s decision to exclude Chega reflects his commitment to governing with the PS. The future Government is expected to navigate a complex political landscape with challenges such as addressing salary demands and managing parliamentary scrutiny.