Portugal government survives Chega no-confidence vote

Portugal's minority government survived a no-confidence motion on Tuesday after parliament rejected a bid by the far-right Chega party linked to pressure on Interior Minister Luis Neves.

Chega's 60 deputies voted for the motion, but that was not enough in the 230-seat legislature. The Socialist Party said it would abstain, while the ruling centre-right coalition holds 91 seats.

The motion called for “the end of a government without authority” and sought Neves's resignation.

Chega leader Andre Ventura said the situation was caused by Neves's conduct, calling him a “true sheriff of the Republic”.

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has refused to sack Neves and has praised his “exemplary” work.

Neves is under fire over an illegal swimming pool built at a second home by a contractor who had previously worked for police. The same contractor was entrusted with chemical products seized when a cocaine production laboratory was dismantled.

Neves has also drawn criticism for not declaring his income for several years and for using a car that authorities had seized from a drug trafficker.