President to swear in six state secretaries in government reshuffle
This reshuffle was triggered by the resignation, on 28 January, of the secretary of state for local administration and spatial planning, Hernâni Dias.
Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, will swear in six new secretaries of state on Thursday, in the first reshuffle of the 24th constitutional government that doesn’t change any ministers.
The swearing-in of the new members of the government is scheduled for 5.30pm at the president’s official residence, the Palace of Belém in Lisbon, after the changes to the composition of the PSD/CDS-PP executive led by Luís Montenegro were publicised on the presidency’s website on Wednesday evening.
In this note, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa informs that he has agreed to the prime minister’s proposal, who in turn expressed in a statement issued by his office “public recognition and gratitude to the outgoing secretaries of state”.
“They were unsurpassable in their dedication and commitment to delivering the government’s programme. Thank you all very much,” said Luís Montenegro.
This reshuffle was triggered by the resignation, on 28 January, of the secretary of state for local administration and spatial planning, Hernâni Dias, after it was reported on state broadcaster RTP that he had set up two real estate companies while still in office as secretary of state, responsible for the recently published decree amending the legal regime for land management instruments, the controversial land law.
Luís Montenegro took the opportunity to replace five other secretaries of state, tinkering with six ministries: territorial cohesion, education, labour, environment, youth and culture.
Taking office today are Silvério Regalado as secretary of state for local administration and spatial planning, replacing Hernâni Dias; Maria Luísa Oliveira as secretary of state for educational administration and innovation, taking over from Pedro Cunha; Filipa Lima as secretary of state for social security, replacing Jorge Campino; Jean Barroca as secretary of state for energy, taking over from Maria João Pereira; Carla Rodrigues as assistant secretary of state for equality, with Carla Mouro stepping down; and Alberto Santos as secretary of state for culture, with Maria de Lurdes Craveiro stepping down.
The first reshuffle of the 24th constitutional government comes more than ten months after its inauguration on 2 April last year, with the replacement of six secretaries of state, but no change of minister.
In total, the government led by Luís Montenegro remains at 59 members (17 ministers and 41 secretaries of state).
With this reshuffle, the number of women and men in the secretariats of state remains the same – 17 and 24 respectively.