Ventura to lead parliamentary inquiry into Interior Minister's tenure at Judicial Police
André Ventura, leader of the right-wing party Chega, will preside over the parliamentary commission of inquiry into the conduct of Luís Neves during his eight years as director of the Polícia Judiciária (PJ). The commission will investigate the period from 2018 to 2026, before Neves was appointed Minister of Internal Administration.
The Chega parliamentary group triggered the inquiry using its statutory powers after a second version of its request was partially accepted by the President of the Assembly of the Republic. The inquiry's formal purpose is to evaluate the actions of Luís Neves while he led the country's criminal investigation police and to establish the facts.
What the commission will investigate
The scope of the inquiry covers several sensitive areas. Foremost among them is the "Operação Pacoba", a narcotics investigation in which the PJ seized a trailer loaded with chemicals that was taken to facilities belonging to Construbarcelos. Investigators will examine any relationship between the current minister and that company, which carried out construction work on a property belonging to his family.
Two further lines of inquiry concern items that were under PJ custody: the disappearance of crypto-assets and weapons. The commission will also investigate allegations that Neves failed to declare bank accounts, land, vehicles, financial investments, and income between 2018 and 2024 — declarations that were mandatory within 60 days of taking office as national director.
According to the research gathered, the Procuradoria-Geral da República (PGR) — Portugal's prosecution service — has already identified indications of criminal conduct in what it described as "cases of very dubious contours" that Neves has not explained.
Political positions harden
Ventura stated that the commission would fulfil its role of investigating "to the end, without fear, regardless of the consequences and whoever the targets are."
Luís Neves has said he faces the commission with "total tranquillity" and argued that scrutiny mechanisms are important for establishing the truth. The minister currently oversees the country's police forces, internal security, and civil protection.
Chega has also demanded the immediate start of the inquiry. The party's statement against the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, called for proceedings to begin without delay.
How parliamentary inquiries work
A parliamentary commission of inquiry in Portugal is a political oversight tool, not a judicial body. It has coercive powers to request documents and compel witnesses to testify. Failure to appear or refusal to testify can constitute the crime of qualified disobedience.
Such commissions typically end with a final report that may recommend legislative changes, refer matters to the Public Ministry for judicial investigation, or conclude with findings of political responsibility. In the last 20 years, similar inquiries have examined bank resolutions — such as BANIF and Caixa Geral de Depósitos — and cases involving alleged government interference in corporate decisions.
This commission's outcome remains open. Its formation alone subjects a sitting minister to public scrutiny that could shape political accountability in the months ahead.
