Luís Montenegro, the leader of the social-democratic party PSD, has called for direct leadership elections in May and has invited anyone with an alternative vision to challenge him, implicitly addressing criticisms from former leader Passos Coelho. This move is interpreted by some as a sign of weakness within the party, as Montenegro seeks to counter Coelho's critiques and assert his leadership.
Luís Montenegro challenges Passos Coelho to move forward

Context & Explainers

- Prime Minister, Portugal: 2024 - Present
- Party: Social Democratic Party (PSD)
Luís Filipe Montenegro Cardoso de Morais Esteves (born February 16, 1973, in Porto) is a Portuguese lawyer and center‑right politician who has served as Prime Minister of Portugal since April 2, 2024. A long‑time member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), he is the leading figure of the post‑Troika generation of Portuguese conservatives. Montenegro was elected to the Assembly of the Republic in 2002 for the Aveiro district and remained an MP for 16 years, becoming PSD parliamentary leader from 2011 to 2017 during the bailout and austerity period under Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. He was a prominent defender of strict austerity measures, arguing in 2014 that “the life of the people is no better, but the life of the country is a lot better,” a phrase that has followed his public image since. After an unsuccessful leadership bid against Rui Rio in 2020, Montenegro won the PSD leadership in 2022. He then forged the centre‑right Democratic Alliance (PSD–CDS‑PP and allies), which won a plurality of seats in the 2024 legislative election. Refusing to partner with the far‑right Chega, which he has called “often xenophobic, racist, populist and excessively demagogic,” he formed a minority government as head of the XXIV Constitutional Government on April 2, 2024. His first government fell in March 2025 after a no‑confidence vote linked to a conflict‑of‑interest affair, but fresh elections saw the Democratic Alliance increase its seat share, allowing Montenegro to return as prime minister leading the XXV Constitutional Government. His importance to Portugal lies in attempting to re‑center the traditional centre‑right after the crisis years, defending liberal‑conservative economics and EU alignment while drawing a sharp line against formal cooperation with the radical right, thus shaping how Portuguese democracy manages its new multi‑party era.
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Other news coverage of this topic
- Luís Montenegro to bring forward PSD leadership elections8:59pm, 5 Mar 2026 • RTP Notícias
- What Montenegro did is immature and a bit childish8:35pm, 5 Mar 2026 • Observador
- Counterattack or "forward escape"? Montenegro tries to silence Passos Coelho8:27pm, 5 Mar 2026 • Expresso
- Passos Coelho did an absolutely remarkable job, but at this moment the party leader is Luís Montenegro8:27pm, 5 Mar 2026 • CNN Portugal
- Montenegro's challenge to Passos is a sign of weakness8:14pm, 5 Mar 2026 • Público
- Luís Montenegro is giving dimension to that political shadow which is Passos Coelho8:14pm, 5 Mar 2026 • CNN Portugal
- Montenegro's decision "makes it clear that Passos Coelho is seen as an internal opposition force in the PSD"8:13pm, 5 Mar 2026 • CNN Portugal




