Lisbon, March 12, 2025 (Lusa) - A series of hearings of ministers in Portugal's parliament, including the minister of finance and the minister of the environment, both planned for Wednesday, have been cancelled due to the fall of the government, following the defeat of the motion of confidence on Tuesday.

The first hearing planned was that of the minister of state and finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, in the committee on budget, finance and public administration (COFAP), focusing on two topics: the trajectory of Portugal's public debt and the increase in the prevalence of short term special debt certificates (CEDIC), as well as requests presented by the main opposition Socialist Party (PS) and by the Left Bloc (BE) on Novo Banco, the successor institution to Banco Espírito Santo, which was wound up a decade ago.

However, the committee's chair explained, as a result of Tuesday's vote against the motion of confidence, the government has resigned and so the hearing will not take place.

Also cancelled was the hearing of the minister for the environment and energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, which was due to take place on Wednesday morning on the topics of the Climate Agency and the increase in electricity prices.

Debates on bills presented by the government were also cancelled, but meetings on bills tabled by the various parties continue.

On Tuesday, parliament rejected the motion of confidence presented by the government, causing it to fall.

Voting against the motion of confidence were the PS, the far-right Chega party, the BE, the Communist Party (PCP), Livre and the sole member for People-Animals-Nature (PAN), Inês Sousa Real. In favour were the two parties in the governing coalition, the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) and People's Party (CDS-PP), and the Liberal Initiative (IL).

According to Portugal's constitution, the "non-approval of a motion of confidence" implies the "dismissal of the government." 

MES/ARO // ARO.

Lusa