Montenegro Calls for a Stronger EU

Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro urged the European Union to modernize its budget, reduce bureaucracy and strengthen competitiveness during a “This is Europe” debate with Members of the European Parliament on Oct. 6. Discussions also focused on energy, housing, migration and investment.

Montenegro said the EU’s 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework should reflect the bloc’s political ambitions and support both cohesion and competitiveness. He called for greater investment, progress on the Savings and Investment Union and completion of the Banking Union, particularly as Europe responds to the economic challenges posed by artificial intelligence.

The prime minister also advocated a coordinated European response to the energy crisis to accelerate the transition away from dependence on external suppliers. On housing, he backed complementary EU action to simplify procedures while respecting national and local responsibilities. He described Portugal’s approach to migration as combining stronger control with humanitarian integration.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola welcomed Portugal’s contribution to the EU and said an agreement on the next long-term budget was urgent. Political group leaders broadly supported faster negotiations, stronger measures for competitiveness and continued backing for the energy transition, while calling for action on housing affordability, migration management and rising energy costs.