Portuguese Defense Minister to Sue Far-Right Leader Over Frigate Deal

Portugal's Defense Minister, Nuno Melo, is initiating legal proceedings against André Ventura, leader of the far-right Chega party, and the online news outlet 24Horas. The minister announced on Monday that he will also sue far-right deputy Pedro Frazão for questioning the legality of a contract to purchase three frigates from Italy.

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I don't have to (...) accept lies that are later reproduced and that offend me, that affect the good name, honor, and consideration of a ministry, of people, and of a party. I don't have to accept that.

"I don't have to (...) accept lies that are later reproduced and that offend me, that affect the good name, honor, and consideration of a ministry, of people, and of a party. I don't have to accept that," Melo stated in a declaration to Sic Notícias. The agreement for the three Evo frigates for the Portuguese Navy, built by Italian group Fincantieri, was announced by the Portuguese and Italian governments during a visit by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to Rome in July.

The news outlet 24Horas later published an article raising "serious doubts" about the deal. It cited, among other factors, the exclusion of a Portuguese intermediary company that would have lost approximately 90 million euros in commissions. Ventura and Frazão subsequently commented on the news on social media, questioning the validity of the agreement.

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It is absurd to think that there are private intermediaries in a negotiation carried out between states, as this operation complies with the criteria of the European SAFE program, which provides money to promote joint acquisitions in the field of European security and defense.

In his interview, Melo described the allegations as "absurd." He explained that the negotiation was a state-to-state transaction and did not involve private intermediaries. The operation adheres to the criteria of the European SAFE program, which provides funding for joint acquisitions in European security and defense. "The Executive did not exclude anyone because it did not deal with any company," the minister insisted, emphasizing that the selection was made by experts, not political figures.

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The Executive did not exclude anyone because it did not deal with any company.