Luis Montenegro, leader of the Social Democratic Party and head of the Democratic Alliance, was officially sworn in as Portugal's new prime minister on Thursday, marking the fastest cabinet formation under President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in just 18 days after the election.
At the ceremony, Montenegro pledged to “continue serving the country,” outlined a bold plan to “declare war on bureaucracy” and promised to push state reforms, maintain political stability and boost social productivity. He also stressed the importance of dialogue, inviting the opposition to join forces on key national challenges.
President Rebelo de Sousa welcomed the swift transition, noting the vote reflected growing confidence in Montenegro while reminding the public had not granted “absolute trust.” He pointed out that traditional parties’ influence is waning as new political forces rise across Europe — a shift Portugal can no longer ignore.
In a bid to streamline decision-making, Montenegro trimmed the cabinet from 17 to 16 ministries. The Ministry of Economy merged with Territorial Cohesion, and Culture, Youth and Modernization were combined into a new Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The standout addition is the Ministry for State Reform, led by Goncalo Matias, who also serves as minister adjunct to the prime minister.
At the PSD’s recent national council meeting, Montenegro called public administration modernization the “cornerstone” of his agenda. With a team focused on efficiency and collaboration, his government heads into a parliamentary debate on its policy program scheduled for June 17 and 18 — a crucial step before it can fully assume its duties.
As young global citizens watch Portugal’s political reset, the new government’s success will hinge on cutting red tape, fostering public-private partnerships and engaging diverse voices to shape the country’s next chapter.
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Montenegro sworn in as Portugal's new PM with streamlined cabinet
cgtn.com
