Ventura blames Carneiro for an “embarrassing deadlock” in the Assembly of the Republic

A new request to postpone the election of external bodies of the Assembly of the Republic, originally scheduled for April 1st, has sparked tension between the main opposition parties. The Socialist Party (PS) claims that no adequate solution has been found for the Constitutional Court. André Ventura, leader of Chega, accused the PS of causing a deadlock that is paralyzing essential state institutions. In response, PS secretary-general José Luís Carneiro announced he would speak with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to ensure the PS retains representation in the Constitutional Court. The delay, following months of previous postponements, means the election will likely be pushed to mid-April. Ventura claims the PS is trying to exclude Chega from these institutions, while Carneiro argues the PS is merely seeking to maintain its right to nominate a magistrate, suggesting the PSD should yield one of its spots to accommodate Chega.