Portugal ramps up fight against corruption

Portuguese Justice Minister Rita Júdice has been tasked with drawing up a package of anti-corruption measures requiring her to hold talks with all parties, including members of parliament, justice sector workers and civil society, the government decided on Wednesday.

Minister Leitão Amaro announced the decision at a press conference on Wednesday, following the new government’s first cabinet meeting.

“We will quickly approve an ambitious, effective and consensual package of measures to combat corruption,” said the minister, noting that the process will begin immediately after the parliamentary investiture.

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced the anti-corruption package in his inauguration speech on Tuesday.

“The aim is to have a synthesis of proposals, measures and initiatives within two months that can be agreed and consensual, once their consistency, credibility and feasibility have been duly tested,” he said then, adding that “no one has a monopoly on best solutions”.

Montenegro also said that the government will focus on passing the relevant laws “either on the government’s proposal or on parliament’s initiative”.

After being presented on 10 April, the new government’s programme will be debated in parliament on 11 and 12 April.

(Susana Venceslau – Lusa.pt)

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