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O Primeiro-Ministro de Portugal, Luís Montenegro, planeja mudar o governo. Hernâni Dias, secretário de Estado, demitiu-se após alegações de conflito de interesses. Outras mudanças podem ocorrer em secretarias como a de Proteção Civil e Saúde. O Presidente espera propostas do Primeiro-Ministro para novos nomeados. O governo busca ajustar-se a desafios recentes.

Translation

The Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, plans to reshuffle the government. Hernâni Dias, the Secretary of State, has resigned following allegations of a conflict of interest. Other changes may be made to secretaries in departments such as Civil Protection and Health. The President is waiting for nominations from the Prime Minister for new appointments. The government aims to adapt to recent challenges.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Who is planning to change the government in Portugal?

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro is planning to change the government.

Question 2: Why did Hernâni Dias resign from his position?

Hernâni Dias resigned because of allegations of a conflict of interests.

Exercise: Vocabulary

- plan

- resign

(f.) - allegations

(m.) - conflict

- adjust

(m.) - challenges

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▌12/02/2025

In a significant political development, Portugal's Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, is reportedly planning a reshuffle of the government, which includes key departures among the current secretaries of state. This anticipated action follows recent controversies and reflects ongoing adjustments within the political landscape.

One prominent resignation is that of Hernâni Dias, the Secretary of State for Local Administration and Territorial Planning, who stepped down at the end of January. The resignation came in the wake of media reports alleging he had established two real estate companies that could benefit from new legislation on land management, which he had been responsible for implementing. While Dias maintained that he left with a “clear conscience,” the decision was seen as a move to prevent further controversy from affecting the government.

Apart from Dias, changes are expected in the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, currently held by Paulo Ribeiro, and in the Secretary of State for Health Management, led by Cristina Vaz Tomé. The potential reshuffle may extend to the Cultural Ministry and possibly others, indicating a broader reorganization might be on the horizon.

Portugal Prepares Government Reshuffle Amid Resignations Portugal Prepares Government Reshuffle Amid Resignations (Illustration)

The dynamic political landscape has also been influenced by the possible exit of Pedro Duarte, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. Considered a likely candidate for the mayoral position in Porto with the Social Democratic Party (PSD), his departure could mark another high-profile change in the cabinet.

On Tuesday, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated he was yet to receive the Prime Minister’s proposal for the replacement of Hernâni Dias. The President refrained from speculating on the extent of the reshuffle, articulating that the timing and scope of any changes are at the Prime Minister’s discretion. As the president metaphorically articulated, he awaits the Prime Minister’s proposals, which the President “accepts or does not accept,” before setting a date for the new appointees’ inauguration.

These shifts in the Portuguese government come at a notably pivotal time, promising to alter its current composition as the administration seeks to navigate through recent trials and align with evolving political agendas.

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