
Portuguese Interior Minister Luís Neves refused to resign on Tuesday, defiantly rejecting calls from opposition parties amid a political crisis that has left the fate of a potential no-confidence motion uncertain. Speaking to the nation, Neves directly addressed Chega leader André Ventura, who had previously called him a "gangster," and vowed not to be intimidated, according to the *Público* newspaper .
Ventura, in remarks to RTP, said he had not yet finalized a decision on whether Chega would submit a no-confidence motion against the government, despite earlier signaling that a choice would be made on Tuesday. The *Público* reported that Neves’ statements failed to reassure other opposition parties, including the Iniciativa Liberal and Bloco de Esquerda, with the latter’s Mariana Leitão explicitly demanding the minister’s resignation .
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has so far remained silent on the matter. The crisis centers on Neves’ leadership of the Interior Ministry, with critics accusing him of overreach and political interference. The *Observador* noted that Neves, in his address, shifted blame broadly, stating that "everyone, everyone, everyone" bore responsibility except himself .
Meanwhile, Portugal’s public debt costs are projected to rise sharply, with the government forecasting an additional €776 million in interest expenses for 2027, according to documents sent to Parliament by the Finance Ministry and reported by *Correio da Manhã* and *Negócios*. The increase would mark the sixth consecutive year of rising public spending since the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by international financial pressures. Existing measures are expected to weigh €4.8 billion on the state budget, excluding potential new policies .
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