Portugal prime minister accused of conflict of interest

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called a special cabinet meeting for Saturday after being accused of a conflict of interest over a contract involving one of his family’s companies.

Montenegro acknowledged on Friday that the accusations had caused “apprehension” as he called the cabinet meeting, vowing to “end this affair once and for all”.

The Expresso weekly on Friday reported on alleged links between a company run by Montenegro’s wife and children and the Solverde casino and hotel group.

The family company had a contract worth 4,500 euros ($4,680) per month after July 2021 to provide Solverde with personal data handling services.

The prime minister, a lawyer who took office in 2024, represented Solverde between 2018 and 2022 in negotiations with the state on casino concessions, Expresso said.

Montenegro, leader of the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), became head of a minority government after elections in March last year.

Pedro Nuno, head of the main opposition Socialist Party, said the accusations were “serious” and urged Montenegro to reveal details of all his companies’ contracts.

“A prime minister cannot receive money from private entities,” said Andre Ventura, head of the far-left Chega party, who called on Montenegro to resign or seek a vote of confidence in parliament.

The prime minister said he would give an explanation to “clear up the speculation”.