Opposition leader expresses doubt parliament can last four-year term

The leader of Portugal’s main opposition Social Democratic Party, Rui Rio, said on Friday that he has doubts that the parliament that has just assembled will last the full four years, while making clear that it would not be opposing the Socialist government’s programme.

Speaking to reporters on arrival at a meeting of the PSD parliamentary group at 9.45 a.m., Rio said he was returning “with normal enthusiasm” to the building, 18 years after he last spoke there and 28 years after he first entered it as a member.

Asked about whether the parliament was likely to last the full four-year term, Rio said that this was possible but that he had doubts: “The legislature has the conditions to last four years, but I have doubts if it can last the four years, but let’s see.”

Rio stressed that a minority government such as the Socialist one that is to be sworn in on Saturday must “constantly ne making negotiations,” which makes it harder to maintain stability than when the executive has a majority of one or more parties.

Asked whether the PSD intended to table a motion of rejection of the new government’s programme, Rio categorically ruled that out.

“It makes no sense to present a motion of rejection at this time,” he said. “I also think that the government will not present any motion of confidence.”

He noted that a programme for government does not need to be voted on for the executive to take office.

Having already announced his intention of taking over as PSD parliamentary leader until the party congress scheduled for February, Rio promised “constructive opposition” in the chamber.

“Don’t count on me to speak badly the government on anything and everything,” he said. “That’s not my style. I will speak badly of what I believe is bad, but on what I agree, I agreed, period.”