Portugal's defense minister to sue Chega leaders and 24Horas over €3.9 billion frigate deal report

Lawsuit announced

Portugal's defense minister Nuno Melo announced on 10 August that he will file a lawsuit against Chega party leader André Ventura, Chega MP Pedro Frazão and the online newspaper 24Horas. The legal action stems from a 24Horas report published on 7 August about the acquisition of three frigates from Italian manufacturer Fincantieri for €3.9 billion, and subsequent social media comments by the two Chega politicians. The Ministry of Defense accused the two Chega officials of having crossed "all limits of political combat", stating they "lied premeditatedly, distorted facts and made statements gravely harmful to the good name, honour and consideration" of the ministry.

The disputed commission claim

The 24Horas report alleged that the Portuguese company NTG had participated for several months in negotiations between the Portuguese and Italian states as an intermediary for Fincantieri, but was sidelined on the eve of contract signing, losing a commission of around €90 million. The Ministry of Defense rejected the report's premises, stating the process is conducted between the Portuguese and Italian states, "not with companies", and that "no Portuguese company ever participated, for a single day, in the acquisition process involving the Portuguese state and the Italian state." Fincantieri, contacted by DN, declined to comment, citing a policy of not discussing its business affairs.

Ventura's response

André Ventura issued a statement saying he learned of the lawsuit intention "with enormous stupefaction" and that the action reveals the executive "reacts badly to democratic scrutiny". He insisted the party will continue demanding answers.

The Minister of Defense can file whatever lawsuits he sees fit, but there are questions that must be answered.

Ventura listed specific questions: how the deal value was reached, whether commissions were paid and to whom, why contract terms were suddenly altered, and why the government avoided giving explanations in such a sensitive area. He added that "Portugal cannot withstand another scandal like the 'submarines'" in its public defense accounts, referencing a past defense procurement controversy.

Opposition demands

Both Chega and the Socialist Party (PS) are demanding government clarification. Chega wants Nuno Melo summoned to Parliament after the summer recess to explain whether NTG was sidelined and whether other intermediaries will receive commissions. The PS wants access to all contract details to understand what economic counterparty benefits were agreed and what return there will be for the national economy, accusing the government of not responding to MPs' questions.

Deal details and oversight

The frigate purchase was announced in late July by the prime minister in Rome. The three frigates, bought from Fincantieri for €3.9 billion, are expected to be operational in Portugal between 2029 and 2030. According to SIC, there will be no private intermediaries because it is a direct deal between two states, not a private commercial negotiation, complying with criteria of the European SAFE programme, a fund that lends money to member states for defense investment. Nuno Melo told SIC on 6 August that the frigate selection was technical, not political, and that the deal will be audited by European entities, the Court of Auditors, the Attorney General's Office, the General Inspectorate of Finance, the General Inspectorate of National Defense, government ministry representatives and the three parties with the largest parliamentary representation. Portugal has nearly €6 billion available through the European fund for defense investment, payable over 30 years.