Porto, Aug. 27, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's defence minister said on Thursday that integrity matters in politics, that he regards his «good name, honour and respect» as absolute values, and that he will uphold his principles.

«Not everything goes; not everything goes in life, and not everything goes in politics,» Nuno Melo told journalists following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Portugal and Spain for the purchase of 75 light tactical vehicles for the Marine Corps, at the Fort of São João Batista in Porto.

During a speech lasting more than 10 minutes, the minister noted that the investment the PSD/CDS-PP government is making in defence is «upsetting some people».

«Apparently, the fact that things are being done, that they are coming to fruition, that investments are being made, and that results are being achieved is upsetting some people, but let those people be left with the mudslinging, the slander, the insults and the defamation,» said Nuno Melo in his speech.

When asked afterwards who he was referring to, Nuno Melo did not elaborate, considering that he need not go into too much detail.

«We have reached a point in our lives where standards have fallen so low, hit rock bottom, that people, including politicians, can be reviled and defamed; and for some politicians, commentators and also certain members of the media, they must simply put up with it – it's no big deal,» he pointed out.

The minister pointed out that he belongs to a generation in which one's good name, honour and reputation are highly valued and are personal rights protected by the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.

For this reason, he added, he regards his «good name, honour and reputation» as absolute values, and he upholds them, especially when, as he put it, «he does everything right».

«I have dedicated my life to fighting corruption,» he recalled.

Regarding the decision to take legal action against the leader of Chega, André Ventura, and MP Pedro Frazão, he said that the complaint is due to be filed in court in September.

«We are currently in the judicial recess; the complaint will be a civil case and, at the appropriate time, during September, we will file it. For those who know how things work in the legal world, a lawsuit is not exactly like an American-style test where you tick some boxes and hand it in to a court,» he pointed out.

A legal document must be «well-prepared, well detailed and supported by evidence, and submitted at the appropriate time», he added.

SVF/ADB // ADB.

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