“We discuss all matters of interest to the country, including this one, which naturally implies a dialogue that has already begun between the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic,” Montenegro stated after voting in Espinho for the direct election of the party leadership, to which he is running for re-election.
When asked by journalists if he already had “a name” to succeed Lucília Gago, the Prime Minister emphasized that “the Government has the ability to propose, but the President of the Republic has the ability to appoint.”
“Therefore, it will always be in a concerted relationship that this and other matters are discussed and then decided. Even when there is no such institutional framework, what has happened is that we share our vision and positions in the meetings we have, which have been many, as you know,” he added.
The President of the Republic stated today that he will begin discussing the succession of the Attorney General, Lucília Gago, with the Prime Minister next week, and mentioned that he does not know what method Luís Montenegro intends to adopt in this matter.
In response to journalists’ questions during a visit to the Book Festival taking place at Belém Palace in Lisbon, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reiterated that the reappointment of Lucília Gago is ruled out, which he argued is “against the law,” and considered that “as important as the name – which is very important, of course – is the profile” of the successor.
“I already know what profile I would prefer. I’m not going to tell you, though. I certainly won’t be communicating to the Prime Minister through television what I think about the matter,” he declared.
Lucília Gago is about to finish her six-year term as Attorney General, which began on October 12, 2018.
When asked if he already has a date to discuss names for Lucília Gago’s succession with the Prime Minister, the Head of State replied: “Yes, yes, yes, we have a date, we have an audience scheduled for next week. So we’ll see after that.”