Lisbon City Hall Explains Oversight of Prime Minister's Family Renovation: A Matter of Institutional Courtesy

City Hall's Clarification on Oversight

On Tuesday, Lisbon's City Hall clarified the oversight conducted on Monday regarding the renovation of two apartments belonging to Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. The municipality stated that the presence of city officials during the inspection was due to "institutional courtesy" and that the oversight was conducted based solely on technical criteria.

Response to Parliamentary Inquiry

This information was provided by Joana Almeida, the City Councillor for Urbanism, Transparency, and Corruption Prevention, during a session of the Lisbon Municipal Assembly. This response came after PS deputy José Leitão questioned whether it is common for the councillor's aides or city officials to participate in such inspections.

"We treat all citizens equally. The only difference in this case is that, out of institutional courtesy, the two individuals mentioned [an aide and a department director] accompanied this inspection," Almeida stated.

Details of the Renovation

The inspection focused on the renovation project which aims to merge two apartments into a duplex T3 unit, involving demolitions, space reorganization, and the construction of a staircase connecting the two apartments. According to a report by SIC, the renovations did not compromise the building's structure and may have even reinforced it.

Ongoing Concerns

Deputy José Leitão raised concerns about the timing of the renovation's disclosure to the city, noting it only came to light following media coverage. He questioned whether the inspection was requested by the interested party or initiated by the city and whether the inspections follow technical or political criteria.

In response, Joana Almeida assured that all inspections are initiated by the city and are conducted uniformly for all citizens. She reiterated that the oversight adhered to strictly technical criteria and was part of the city's routine checks.

Legal Compliance and Political Context

Before the inspection's announcement, City Hall President Carlos Moedas confirmed that the city met its legal obligations regarding the renovations and emphasized that the Prime Minister was treated like any other Lisbon citizen. The discussions surrounding the renovation have prompted inquiries from PS and BE councillors regarding the alleged exemption from prior control for this structural alteration.

The duplex project adds to the scrutiny surrounding Prime Minister Montenegro, particularly concerning the Spinumviva company, which is currently under investigation by the Public Ministry. Amidst these controversies, the parliament rejected a confidence motion from the PSD/CDS-PP government, leading to its downfall and the calling of early legislative elections for May 18, as decided by the President of the Republic.