Afternoon Update -- Tuesday, February 24, 2026

New Interior Minister Outlines Priorities After Swearing-In

Luis Neves, the former national director of the Policia Judiciaria, was sworn in on Monday as Portugal's new Minister of Internal Administration, replacing Maria Lucia Amaral in the first cabinet reshuffle of Montenegro's second government. Neves dismissed concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from his law enforcement background, saying he would embrace "all positive proposals" and that his experience in criminal investigation was an asset rather than a liability. His appointment signals a tougher posture on security policy.

EU New Car Sales Fall 3.9% in January

New car registrations across the European Union dropped 3.9 percent in January compared to the same month last year, according to industry data released today. Hybrid vehicles continued to dominate the market, accounting for 39 percent of all registrations, well ahead of petrol-only models at 22 percent and fully electric vehicles at 19 percent. The figures reflect ongoing uncertainty about the pace of the electric transition and the impact of trade tensions on automotive supply chains.

Storm Kristin Damage: Leiria Polytechnic Estimates 6 Million Euros in Losses

The Polytechnic of Leiria has put preliminary storm damage at six million euros following the devastation caused by Storm Kristin in recent weeks. The figure covers repairs to campuses, student residences and associated infrastructure across the institution's multiple sites. The final tally is expected to rise as assessments continue. Leiria was one of the regions hardest hit by the storms, and the city's annual festival has been cancelled as a result.

Portuguese Aluminium Industry Warns Against EU-India Trade Deal

The European Aluminium Association has written to European Council President Antonio Costa, Prime Minister Montenegro, and several Portuguese ministers and MEPs warning that the recently concluded EU-India free trade agreement could undermine domestic aluminium producers. The association is calling for safeguard measures to protect European manufacturers from what it describes as unfairly subsidised Indian imports.

Real Estate Digital Activity Surges in Early 2026

The beginning of 2026 has seen a marked increase in digital engagement in Portugal's residential property market, with more prospective buyers and renters contacting advertisers through online platforms. The trend confirms broader data showing that Portugal's real estate sector, which attracted 2.7 billion euros in investment in 2025, continues to draw strong domestic and international interest despite affordability concerns.

Macau Confirms Mail Service to Portugal Restored After Storm Disruptions

Macau's postal service has confirmed that mail deliveries to Portugal have returned to normal following disruptions caused by severe weather on the Portuguese mainland. The service had been affected for several weeks, with delays reported across multiple postal categories. Normal operations have now resumed.