Ventura will meet Aguiar-Branco after Portuguese parliament rejects Chega inquiry into Luís Neves

Rejection of mandatory inquiry

Assembly of the Republic President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco rejected Chega's second attempt to establish a mandatory parliamentary inquiry into Internal Administration Minister Luís Neves. The proposed inquiry targeted the period of more than eight years during which Neves served as national director of the Judicial Police (PJ). Aguiar-Branco stated that Chega failed to correct procedural deficiencies identified in an earlier ruling, explaining that a mandatory inquiry cannot scrutinize public officials indiscriminately without defining clear acts, decisions, or procedures in advance. While parliamentary inquiries possess investigative powers, the parliament head reiterated that they cannot replace the Public Prosecution Service or investigate private conduct without a direct connection to public duties.

Ventura schedules parliamentary meeting

Chega leader André Ventura announced that he will meet with Aguiar-Branco in the late morning of Thursday, 17 September 2026, before determining his party's next procedural steps. Ventura criticized the rejection and argued that the ruling protects partisan interests within the legislature.

Today, the president of the Assembly of the Republic entered the list of those who continue to defend the rottenness of the political system in which we live and the rottenness of the institutional system that is installed in Portugal.

Ventura indicated that Chega will choose between filing an appeal to the full parliamentary plenary, submitting a third revised draft, or taking firmer political actions if scrutiny remains blocked.

Plenary paths and legal options

Aguiar-Branco emphasized that his decision adheres to constitutional standards rather than partisan motives, citing earlier adjustments required during inquiries into rural fires, Santa Casa, and the twin sisters case. He outlined the immediate avenues available to Chega under parliamentary standing orders.

My decision is subject to appeal. If there is an appeal, it will go to the plenary, which will decide. My decision also does not prevent Chega, if it so wishes, from presenting another initiative that complies with the Constitution and the law.

In contrast to Chega's mandatory request, Aguiar-Branco admitted a non-mandatory inquiry proposed by Juntos pelo Povo (JPP) deputy Filipe Sousa. Because JPP lacks the numbers for an automatic inquiry, its motion must be debated and approved by a plenary vote.

Alternative inquiry heads to vote

The JPP proposal concentrates on specific administrative decisions during Neves's PJ tenure, focusing on contracts awarded to the construction firm Construbarcelos. The company carried out renovation work on an Alentejo estate owned by Neves's family and previously held custody of a trailer seized in an anti-narcotics operation. Filipe Sousa stated that an inquiry is necessary to resolve public doubts surrounding the Judicial Police and expressed hope that the vote will occur before deliberations begin on the 2027 State Budget.

Yesterday I heard deputy André Ventura say that he would vote in favor of JPP's request. I hope he maintains that consistency and I also hope that the other parties, especially the PSD and the PS, read our explanatory memorandum carefully and, with even more attention, the ruling from the president of the Assembly of the Republic.

Approval of the JPP inquiry will depend on support from the three largest parliamentary groups: the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Socialist Party (PS), and Chega.