The new Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, reacted this Thursday, February 26, to Pedro Passos Coelho’s recent criticism of his appointment to the position. Upon leaving an event at the Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Internal Security (ISCPSI), the government official assured that he faced the former prime minister’s words with “the greatest tranquility”, highlighting the pluralism of opinions: “We don’t all have to think the same way”.
Regarding the fact that this is the first time that a National Director of the PJ moves directly to the MAI, Luís Neves was pragmatic in his response to Passos Coelho’s comment: “There is always a first time”.
At issue is the position taken by Passos Coelho, who classified the choice of Luís Neves — until now National Director of the Judiciary Police (PJ) — as a “serious precedent”. The former PSD leader argued that the direct transition between the leadership of an investigative police and the political supervision of the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) had never occurred and raises questions about the separation of powers.
Luís Neves revealed that, upon receiving the Prime Minister’s invitation to join the Executive, he considered the risks and ethical issues that the change could raise. However, after reflection, he found no obstacles to accepting the challenge.
The new ruler repeated an idea he had previously expressed, about the nature of his previous functions to allay fears of political interference in judicial processes. “The National Director of the PJ does not investigate”, he stated, adding: “I am not aware of the investigations”.
“There was never any interference, there was never any question, there was never any research. Therefore, I want to say that in this regard I am absolutely shielded in relation to the information area”, he explained.
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