Portuguese parliament rejects Chega censure motion against minority government

Portugal’s parliament has rejected a motion of censure against the governing minority coalition submitted by the far-right Chega party. The motion was defeated after a three-hour debate when the main opposition Socialist Party abstained, ensuring the proposal would fail.

The censure targeted recent controversies surrounding Internal Administration Minister Margarida Blasco. During closing arguments, Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro criticized Chega for introducing a measure doomed to fail, while also admonishing the Socialists for not voting directly against it. Leitão Amaro stated that citizens would make a "political judgment" regarding Chega's actions. The executive affirmed it will maintain its strategy of negotiating legislation on a case-by-case basis without establishing a preferred parliamentary partner.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)