Pedro Duarte's Dream: Aiming for the Porto City Hall Chair

Pedro Duarte's Aspirations for Porto

The speculation surrounding Pedro Duarte's candidacy for the Porto City Hall continues to grow, fueled by the minister himself. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in Luís Montenegro's government stated he has a "gigantic intimate temptation" to run for the Porto City Hall, expressing that he would feel more fulfilled as a local mayor than as a governing minister:

“In politics, the chair of the president of Porto City Hall is my dream chair.”

In an interview with RTP3, Duarte downplayed concerns regarding Luís Montenegro and his family's real estate business, which has prompted a censure motion against the government from the Chega party. He also discussed the recent mini reshuffle of the government, advocating for the continuity of the Health and Internal Administration ministers.

Despite the media's focus on his potential candidacy, Duarte emphasized the importance of adhering to a calendar for the PSD party's municipal candidacy plans for the country's second-largest city.

Duarte reiterated that the decision regarding his candidacy ultimately lies with Luís Montenegro and the Prime Minister, who will determine the right time to announce it.

“It is indeed the role that would fulfill me the most, and I do not hide that the temptation is gigantic,” he stated.

In the same interview, Duarte praised José Pedro Aguiar-Branco for his management of parliamentary work and expressed his admiration for the extraordinarily difficult balance achieved by the President of the Assembly of the Republic.

Ethical Defense of Montenegro

Regarding Luís Montenegro’s family business, Duarte defended the Prime Minister's "ethics" as being "bulletproof", arguing this is sufficient to dismiss any potential legal irregularity.

“Even if we were to conclude there was any legal irregularity, that does not compare to finding anything condemnable in the Prime Minister's ethical stance,” he argued.

Despite Montenegro having sold his shares in the company in 2022, some legal experts believe that this transaction is legally void due to the couple's community of property. António Lobo Xavier, a lawyer and State Counselor, noted that if one is married in community of property, they cannot dispose of their shares by donating them to their spouse, as they effectively retain their position in the company.