Passos Coelho opts to stay out. Hugo Soares urged MPs to mobilise.
Alarm bells ring in the PSD and the Government: MPs and local councillors called on to back Mendes
Thursday, 8 January 2026RSS
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Context & Explainers
A parliamentary inquiry (comissão parlamentar de inquérito) is a temporary committee the Assembly of the Republic sets up to investigate serious public incidents or administrative failures, with powers to summon witnesses and request documents. In this case a committee could examine INEM’s practices and response, produce findings and recommend legal or policy changes to improve emergency services.
The Social Democratic Party ('Partido Social Democrata' or 'PSD') is a liberal-conservative political party in Portugal that is the leading partner of the The Democratic Alliance (AD) which is the country's ruling party, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The Social Democratic Party, despite its name, occupies the centre-right of Portugal's political spectrum. Luís Montenegro, who became Prime Minister in April 2024, leads Portugal's current minority government. The PSD has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. Montenegro, a former party leader from 1996-1999, was elected with the highest approval rating among party leaders at 10.7 points out of 20.
The Democratic Alliance is a centre-right coalition that includes the smaller CDS – People's Party, a Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner. Together, they govern without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation.
