Montenegro’s address centered on a pragmatic agenda: simplifying housing regulations, lowering fuel prices, and accelerating the energy transition. By focusing on the daily struggles of Europeans, he argued, the bloc can restore trust in democratic institutions. His message comes as his own government faces intensifying pressure from the Chega party, which secured 23 percent of the vote in the last parliamentary election and continues to gain ground in national polling.
Portuguese PM Warns EU Must Fix Living Costs to Curb Populism
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro urged European lawmakers on Tuesday to prioritize the affordability crisis, warning that failing to deliver tangible relief to households will drive voters toward far-right extremism. Speaking in Strasbourg, he argued that economic security is the primary defense against the rising influence of radical political movements.
However, the Prime Minister’s approach faced immediate scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. Chega MEP António Tânger Corrêa questioned the reliability of the nation’s shift toward wind and solar power, citing concerns over storage capacity and the closure of coal plants. Meanwhile, left-wing MEP Catarina Martins highlighted the domestic housing emergency, pointing to data showing that average rents in Lisbon have reached near-parity with average salaries. While Montenegro advocates for tax breaks and construction deregulation to ease the market, critics demand more direct intervention to support low-income tenants struggling under current financial conditions.
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