section_path: Biography/Prime Minister of Portugal/Tax benefits and Spinumviva cases
section_name: Tax benefits and Spinumviva cases
paragraph_text: Tax benefits and Spinumviva cases
  
  In 2023, an anonymous complaint was sent to the Portuguese Public Prosecution Service alleging that Montenegro received tax benefits granted for the restoration of old buildings when he did a complete demolition of an old building and built a new one in its place, in Espinho. A criminal investigation was later opened. On 2 December 2024, the Public Prosecution Office announced the closure of the criminal investigation due to finding no evidence of crimes or irregularities.
  
  On 15 February 2025, Correio da Manhã newspaper published an investigation in which they found that Montenegro's family has a business with real estate interests, called Spinumviva. Montenegro confirmed the existence of the company, but denied it being only a real estate and that he had sold his shares to his wife after being elected PSD leader in 2022, denying any conflict of interest. Opposition party Chega criticized the lack of answers from Montenegro and announced a motion of no confidence, that was rejected by Parliament. However, it was later revealed that Montenegro's sale of his shares to his wife was, in fact, null, as the law does not allow share sales between spouses, making Montenegro still an active shareholder of the company. This raised further questions of possible conflicts of interest and Montenegro was pressed to reveal his full list of clients, something he avoided.
  
  On 28 February 2025, Expresso newspaper reported that Spinumviva has been receiving a monthly payment of 4,500 euros by one of their clients, Solverde, a casino company, since 2021 and which continued while Montenegro was Prime Minister. In the aftermath of this report, Spinumviva disclosed the full list of clients and the services provided. On the same day, Montenegro announced he would "analyze his personal and political situation" and announce a decision on 1 March. Montenegro announced that his wife would leave the business and it would for now on be managed by his two sons, plus, he challenged Parliament to confirm its confidence in him, otherwise he would call a vote of confidence. Two days later, on 3 March, the Public Prosecution office announced that they received an anonymous tip against Montenegro and his company, adding that, for now, they are examining the complaint. The Socialist Party also announced a Parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the case. Montenegro called a vote of confidence, which he lost on 11 March, leading to the fall of his government. The motion lost 137 to 87 with no abstentions.