Mounting Pressure for a Motion of Censure
André Ventura is increasingly prepared to move forward with a motion of censure against the government over Luís Neves remaining in his post as Minister of Internal Administration. After hearing the minister’s explanations on Tuesday, the Chega party president stated he was left “disappointed and astounded.”
Ventura argued that Neves offered no new answers regarding the controversies surrounding his current role and his previous tenure at the Judiciary Police. The party will make its definitive decision on Wednesday.
Ventura has made it clear that, at this moment, the likelihood of pushing the initiative forward heavily outweighs the chance of backing down.
The CNN Portugal Interview
Speaking to CNN Portugal on Tuesday night, Ventura criticized Neves for refusing to resign. The minister admitted to making “one or two errors” but reaffirmed his intention to stay in the executive branch.
Ventura had initially threatened to file the motion on Tuesday if Prime Minister Luís Montenegro did not dismiss Neves. He delayed the move to hear the minister’s defense and to speak with the President of the Republic, António José Seguro.
While Ventura refused to disclose the exact details of his conversation with Seguro, he hinted that Neves’ future was the core topic. Ventura noted there is now a nearly absolute consensus among his peers that Neves lacks the conditions to remain in office.
Unlicensed Pools, Seized Cars, and Cocaine Chemicals
Pressure has been building on Neves since July. Questions first arose over construction on his family’s property in Odemira by Construbarcelos, a company that secured roughly €2 million in Judiciary Police contracts while Neves directed the agency.
Neves denied any favoritism, but the Odemira town council launched an investigation. They confirmed there was no licensing for the work, and a structure Neves initially described as a “tank” was actually a swimming pool.
The controversy deepened with a trailer seized by the Judiciary Police in December 2024 during Operation Pacoba, a drug trafficking investigation. The seized vehicle inexplicably ended up at Construbarcelos’ facilities in Barcelos, loaded with chemical drums used for processing cocaine. The police have since opened an inquiry into how it left their custody.
Additionally, it was revealed that Neves drives a Volkswagen Golf GTD seized from convicted drug trafficker Rúben “Xuxas” Oliveira. Neves argued that using seized assets is completely legal, noting hundreds of vehicles were placed into state service during his leadership.
Ventura insists these overlapping scandals require political accountability, not just references to Neves’ past police work. “The cases are piling up, and what I expected from him were answers: to the trailer case, the car case, the Xuxas case,” Ventura said.
‘Al Capone Style’ Threats
Speaking in Madeira on Tuesday, Neves declared he is ready for a parliamentary hearing scheduled for September 8 and welcomes “any scrutiny.” The minister insisted he committed no crimes and dismissed the backlash.
“They can keep screaming. I will keep working,” Neves stated, accusing Ventura and the Chega party of running a “chaos agenda.”
Ventura fired back, rejecting the idea that a standard parliamentary hearing is enough. He took specific aim at Neves’ warning that those leaking information about his time at the Judiciary Police would face consequences.
“Threats from Luís Neves against me? I’m used to it,” Ventura said. “But what is grave is saying he knows who has been passing information and that there will be consequences. If this isn’t Al Capone style, I don’t know what is.”
Ventura ultimately placed the responsibility on Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who recently expressed total confidence in Neves’ competence. While Ventura maintains that Chega does not seek political instability, he promised that his party will not back down. The final decision on the motion will be formally announced on Wednesday.