Paulo Rangel's Bold Claim: PS Holds the Key to Political Stability in Portugal

Minister Calls for Abstention from Confidence Motion

The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed in an exclusive interview with CNN Portugal that "everyone would be satisfied" if the Socialist Party (PS) abstains from the confidence motion presented by the Government, which will be voted on next Tuesday. He stated that the PS "is the only party" capable of preventing a political crisis.

"The PS has a simple remedy. Abstain from the confidence motion and then carry out the necessary actions. Everyone will be satisfied: the Government, the Socialist Party, and the Portuguese people. I am convinced they also do not want elections," he argued.

Rangel believes that a possible abstention from the PS is still achievable. "We are not asking the PS to trust the Government, but to abstain. This is a scenario that is still possible."

Regarding the parliamentary inquiry committee proposed by the socialists, the minister offered advice to Pedro Nuno Santos: "If the PS wants a parliamentary inquiry committee, they have all the conditions to have it: abstain. This does not mean trusting the Government. They can create the bodies, instruments, and identities they believe necessary to obtain the clarifications they claim are missing." Rangel emphasized that asking the Socialist Party for stability is not too much.

The former MEP and vice-president of the social-democrats asserted that the PS "is the only party capable" of avoiding a political crisis. "Who holds the stability of the country now? On Tuesday, who will decide if we go to elections or not? It is not the PSD, it is not the CDS, it is not the Government. It is the Socialist Party, which with its vote can prevent elections. Therefore, it is the only one in a position to do so."

In the midst of encouraging messages to the opposition, there were criticisms directed at the "diarchy" leading the PS. "The attacks from the duo leading the PS, Pedro Nuno Santos and Alexandra Leitão, are only comparable to those from Chega," he noted.

"Pedro Nuno Santos cannot make such serious statements about the Government and the Prime Minister without facing consequences," he added.

As the Government faces accusations from various parties of wanting early elections, the minister distanced himself from these claims. "If the Government wanted to provoke elections, it had a very simple solution. It could have resigned, and there would be no more clarifications. We would go straight to elections. By proposing a confidence motion, the Government is indicating that it needs conditions to govern. This is something all Portuguese understand," he asserted.

Regarding the controversies surrounding Luís Montenegro, Rangel believes everything has been clarified. "The Prime Minister has clearly explained everything that needed clarification, and he will respond to more questions when he deems it appropriate."