In Portugal, the parliament ousted Montenegro’s government over suspicions of a conflict of interest involving a company owned by his family, leading to the dissolution of parliament and the call for early elections. In Morocco, the question arises: what if the same standards were applied? Isn’t the head of government himself a billionaire who holds the keys to the economy? From hydrocarbons to water, from land to markets, Aziz Akhannouch controls vital sectors directly affected by government decisions. Are we facing a blatant conflict of interest, or simply a “Moroccan specificity” where money and power blend without accountability?
Portugal at a Crossroads: Early Elections and a Government Falling Under Corruption Allegations
In a surprising move, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decided to dissolve parliament and call for early legislative elections on May 18, following the fall of the government of center-right Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who was forced to resign after a vote of no confidence in his government. But what led to this sudden political collapse? Will these new elections mark the beginning of political stability or a new chapter in the crisis gripping Portugal?
The Fall of the Government: Corruption Allegations and Political Conflicts
The fall of Montenegro’s government was not a routine event in Portuguese political life but the result of a growing political and ethical crisis that shook the foundations of the system. At the heart of this crisis lies a consulting and real estate company owned by the Prime Minister’s wife and children, linked by contracts to private companies, most notably the hotel group “Solverde,” which benefits from state-granted privileges.
Despite Montenegro’s attempts to clear his name by announcing the full transfer of the company’s ownership to his children, the opposition, led by the Socialist Party and the far-right party “Chega,” was not convinced. Instead, they demanded the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate what they called a “conflict of interest.”
Failed Negotiations and a Historic Vote of No Confidence
On Tuesday evening, the Portuguese parliament witnessed a dramatic session lasting over three and a half hours, punctuated by intense negotiations between the center-right Social Democratic Party, led by Montenegro, and the Socialist Party. The negotiations revolved around the terms of forming the inquiry committee, with the Socialists demanding a comprehensive investigation without time limits, while Montenegro sought to limit the inquiry to 15 days, later extending it to the end of May.
However, these attempts failed to ease tensions. The outcome was a historic vote of no confidence in the government, with the far-right “Chega” party joining the Socialists to topple the minority government led by Montenegro since March 2024.
Portugal: Early Elections and Threatened Stability
With the fall of Montenegro’s government, Portugal will hold its third parliamentary election in just three years, raising questions about the political system’s ability to ensure stability in a country facing growing economic and social challenges.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa justified his decision to dissolve parliament by the desire to “ensure the country’s stability,” noting that May 18 was the date preferred by the majority of parties. But will these elections be the ultimate solution to the crisis, or just another chapter in a series of political crises?
Questions Seeking Answers
Amid these events, many questions arise: Were the corruption allegations genuine or merely a pretext for political score-settling? Will Portugal succeed in overcoming this crisis with new leadership capable of ensuring stability? Or is the country on the brink of a new phase of political fragmentation?
One thing is certain: Portugal stands at a crossroads, where politics intertwines with ethics, and economics with social issues. In this complex landscape, the biggest question remains: Will the upcoming elections mark the beginning of a new era, or just another episode in an endless series of crises?
The story is far from over, and Portugal is writing a new chapter in its political history—a chapter that may be the most thrilling and intriguing yet.
