In reaction to the Christmas message from the prime minister and leader of the PSD, Carlos Coelho praised Luís Montenegro's speech and highlighted his speech “of hope for the near future”.

“Portugal has, compared to other countries, a security image heritage that we have to preserve, we have to respect and we have to maintain”, stated Carlos Coelho, responding to questions from journalists about the controversial police operation in Martim Moniz.

“Portugal is a democratic state based on the rule of law. It is not the parties nor the government that decides when police operations are necessary, it is the security forces based on the risk analyses and data they have”, said Carlos Coelho.

Last week's police operation aimed to inspect Rua do Benformoso, in Lisbon, where there are many immigrants and Chega has already stated that the government is following the policy that the party defends.

However, for Carlos Coelho, “opposition parties always criticise the government, either they criticise everything or they say it is following its policy”.

Regarding Luís Montenegro's message, Carlos Coelho highlighted that the Christmas speech “reflects what the Government has done, with particular emphasis on the approval of the State Budget, which is the first in many years that does not have a tax increase”.

PM’s message

It is, he stated, “a declaration that, instead of looking to the past, looks to the future with a message of hope”.

In his Christmas message Luís Montenegro defended that 2024 was “a year of turning point and change” and guaranteed that the “new policy of lowering taxes and valuing salaries and pensions” is being carried out “with rigor and fiscal balance”.

In his first Christmas message as prime minister, Luís Montenegro includes among his priorities for the future the promotion of “regulated immigration” and the fight against crime – without linking the two issues –, alongside the strengthening of health services, education , transport and the execution of the “largest investment in popular housing since the 90s”.

The Prime Minister assured that Portugal “is a benchmark of stability and a country of opportunities” in a “world in turmoil” and “in a Europe apprehensive about Germany’s stagnation and France’s deficit and debt”.

Improving public transport and implementing “the biggest investment in public housing” since the 1990s were other promises, in a message that also referred to immigration and security policies.

“We will promote regulated immigration to welcome those who choose to live and work in our country with dignity and humanism,” said Montenegro.