LISBON, Portugal: Portugal’s new centre-right Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced his cabinet on Thursday after his centre-right coalition hardly emerged top in a deeply divided parliament.
Last week, the 51-year-old lawyer was asked to form a government after the March 10 vote.
Although the far-right party Chega party emerged as the third-largest party after Montenegro’s Social Democratic Party and the Socialists, he has refused to make any deals with them.
But he may not find a stable working majority.
Late Thursday, Montenegro shared a list of 17 ministers with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and then left the presidential palace without making a statement.
According to a statement released by the president’s office, the list includes experienced politicians in key positions, including the ministries of foreign affairs, finance, and economy.
Euro-deputy Paulo Rangel will serve as foreign minister, while the former parliamentary leader of Montenegro’s party, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, will take the finance portfolio.
Pedro Reis, who headed the government agency for trade and investment, has been given the Ministry of the Economy.
Montenegro’s minority government, which includes seven females, will take charge next Tuesday, bringing an end to eight years of Socialist rule.
