The possible request submitted by Chega to hear the former Prime Minister and the former Minister of Infrastructure in a parliamentary commission, which is not a commission of inquiry, goes against the rules of the Assembly of the Republic. This position is contained in an opinion already issued by the first commission in 2023 and which was cited by the president of the commission on economy and public works where the party’s request was discussed.
Social Democrat Miguel Santos has no doubts about the inadmissibility of the request to call António Costa and João Galamba to explain the wiretaps of Operation Influencer dealing with the dismissal of former TAP president Christine Ourmières-Widener, published by CNN.
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This is because the Assembly’s regulations only allow potential hearings (without voting by other parties) for the incumbents who hold office in the posts whose actions will be examined. The issue was raised by Socialist MP Hugo Costa, in a position supported by the PSD.
“What is at stake is not a question of merit, but of legal admissibility,” said Miguel Santos. He cited a ruling by the first parliamentary committee which clarifies which personalities can be summoned through discretionary requests from the party. António Costa and João Galamba do not meet these requirements. They do not hold office, work or perform positions in public companies or administrative entities of the State or independent entities.
The possible request to hear from former rulers came after requests for hearings were made. plumbEven if the request for a hearing had been approved, the two former governors would not have been obliged to come. It would be like an invitation. Only in the case of a commission of inquiry would the two former public officials have to respond. Even so, António Costa would have the prerogative to respond in writing.
Speaking about the “inconveniences” of the socialists, the deputy of Chega, Filipe Melo, invokes the opinion collected by the jurists, according to which, “according to the law, when a person exercises a public function, he is responsible for that function for a period of time. His responsibility does not end when he has finished his function.”
When asked about the legal basis and the specific law that supports this understanding, the deputy began with the famous phrase “I am not a jurist”, indicating that he will have to ask those jurists to put in writing their opinion that, “from our point of view, it overturns the argument of the PS”.
Despite the existence of the 2023 ruling, Filipe Melo insisted and asked for a new ruling on the legality of the hearing, leaving the threat of a commission of inquiry in the air.
António Costa and João Galamba “will certainly come to this Parliament, even if only in the next legislative session.”
Only from September 2025 will Chega be able to submit a new proposal for a possible commission of inquiry following the one currently being carried out on the twins case.
However, the commission on economics and public works will request a new opinion on the admissibility of Chega’s possible application.
Source: Observadora
