Pedro Passos Coelho rules out political return and criticizes state administrative delays in Alcobaça

State delays and economic reform

Speaking on 28 September at the CNN Portugal Public Policies Summit in Alcobaça, former Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho criticized the pace of administrative decision-making in the country. He argued that public institutions currently impose a heavy economic burden in both taxation and administration, which leads prospective investors to lose patience. He noted that the state must simplify bureaucratic procedures and improve the efficiency of public spending while preserving oversight mechanisms.

“It is important that the state can be more agile in spending money and, preferably, that it spends better.”

Passos Coelho also addressed administrative checks such as prior audit clearance, known as Visto Prévio, noting that he sees no issue with greater flexibility provided inspection remains guaranteed. He argued that excessive bureaucracy and low transparency foster conditions for corruption. When failures occur in public procurement, he urged public authorities to assume clear responsibilities and distinguish between technical and political roles.

“Those who decide politically cannot be held accountable for matters on the technical level, but those who are in the technical area cannot be held accountable for political decisions that political decision-makers do not want to make.”

Decentralization and the regionalization debate

During a panel on state territorial organization, which he shared with jurist António Filipe and Matosinhos Mayor Luísa Salgueiro, Passos Coelho outlined his vision for regional governance. He reiterated his preference for decentralization over the creation of administrative regions, arguing that transferring powers to intermunicipal communities provides proximity without adding regional bureaucratic layers. He also supported converting the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions into deconcentrated central administration bodies assigned to other purposes.

Although he does not consider administrative regionalization a pressing necessity, Passos Coelho stated that he does not rule out holding a new national referendum on the issue, noting that there are no forbidden debates in the country. When asked about potential constitutional revisions, he stated that amending the Constitution is not an immediate political priority, though he noted that dialogue on the matter remains open.

Political return dismissed

Upon arriving at the summit venue in Alcobaça, Passos Coelho was asked by reporters about when he plans to resume active frontline politics. He directly rejected the prospect of an imminent political return.

“None of that. It is not an issue that is on the table. It is not on the table.”

The denial follows several public interventions throughout 2026 in which the former PSD leader evaluated current government policies. In June, speaking at the Lisbon Book Fair, he called on the executive to change its approach toward tackling chronic productivity issues. Weeks later, he offered further critiques of general government performance while commending the Minister of Education as competent. In September, he warned Prime Minister Luís Montenegro that time is running out to implement necessary structural reforms.

Forthcoming economic blockage study

Passos Coelho is currently preparing an in-depth policy paper addressing national economic hurdles, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The study, titled "Bloqueios versus Reformas: uma visão para Portugal," is a joint initiative with Socialist former lawmaker Sérgio Sousa Pinto and Nuno Botelho, the president of the Commercial Association of Porto.

Once finalized, the document will be presented directly to the President of the Republic and to the government led by Luís Montenegro. The initiative forms part of Passos Coelho's ongoing contributions to Portuguese administrative and economic policy discussions outside formal party structures.