Portugal’s PM has had a terrible week — and it’s only getting worse

 

Portugal’s PM has had a terrible week — and it’s only getting worse

It has been a brutal week for Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who is currently juggling a national weather emergency alongside a mounting personal scandal.

 

The primary issues plaguing his administration include:

Deadly Natural Disasters: A series of "unprecedented" storms, including Storm Kristin and a subsequent "atmospheric river," have killed at least 16 people. The flooding caused roughly €4 billion in damage, collapsed a portion of the A1 motorway, and forced the evacuation of over 3,000 residents in the Coimbra region.

Cabinet Resignation: Interior Minister Maria Lúcia Amaral resigned on February 10, 2026, following intense criticism over the government's "slow and failed" response to the storms. Montenegro is currently serving as the interim Interior Minister while overseeing the crisis.

Expanding Fraud Probe: Amidst the emergency, a fraud investigation involving Montenegro’s own summer home has expanded, further undermining his government's messaging.

Parliamentary Delays: Due to the "worsening conditions" in the country, the Prime Minister's fortnightly parliamentary debate, originally set for today, has been postponed for the second time this week to February 19.

Political Shifts: This crisis follows the recent election of António José Seguro as President on February 8, 2026, and a record-high vote for far-right rival André Ventura, signaling a tightening of the political vice around Montenegro’s minority government.

The situation remains critical, with many districts under orange weather alerts and a state of emergency in effect through mid-February