Portugal's Anti-Corruption Agenda Reaches Halfway Mark — 17 of 42 Measures Completed in Two Years

Portugal's Ministry of Justice announced on Sunday that it has completed 17 of the 42 measures in the national Anti-Corruption Agenda, with only three measures not yet started — those awaiting evaluation of recently implemented regimes before they can proceed.

The progress report, released two years after the agenda was approved by the Council of Ministers in June 2024, covers reforms across prevention, education, and law enforcement — an ambitious package designed to address one of the country's most persistent governance challenges.

Lobby Law and Government Code of Conduct

Among the most significant milestones, according to the ministry, is the approval of the Government Code of Conduct and Risk Prevention Plan. The ministry says these instruments have placed Portugal "among the first European countries to have a tool of this nature and scope."

Equally notable is the passage of the so-called Lobby Law, which created the Transparency Registry for Interest Representation. The legislation makes it mandatory and public to identify anyone who seeks to influence public decision-makers — a measure long demanded by anti-corruption campaigners.

AI-Powered Procurement Oversight

In public procurement, the BASE portal — Portugal's central database for public contracts — now publishes aggregated data on simplified direct awards. The ministry says a new data analysis system using artificial intelligence is under development to enhance oversight of public spending.

The National State Suppliers Portal has also been upgraded with new transparency features, and the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism (MENAC) has been restructured with new leadership, a revised organisational structure, and an updated governance model.

Anti-Corruption in Schools

One of the more distinctive measures is the completion of an Ethics and Integrity Education Framework, now integrated into curricula at every level of schooling. The themes of corruption and civic values are taught across subjects — not only in the Citizenship and Development course but as a cross-cutting element in all core learning areas.

Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice described the agenda as "an ambitious and concrete response," adding that "the progress recorded shows it is possible to act with determination and effectiveness."

Criminal Law Reforms in Parliament

Parliament has approved, at first reading, two central pieces of legislation: a bill establishing extended confiscation of assets derived from criminal activity — regardless of criminal conviction — and a proposal reforming criminal procedure to prevent delays and dilatory tactics.

A broader reform of criminal procedure is also under way, led by a multidisciplinary working group focused on re-evaluating the investigation phase, improving the appeals system, and reassessing mechanisms for plea agreements in criminal proceedings.

The ministry also highlighted investments in the Judiciary Police, including new recruitment and digital investigation tools, as part of a broader push to modernise Portugal's capacity to detect and prosecute corruption.

While 17 of 42 measures in two years represents steady progress rather than a sprint, the reforms touch areas — from lobbying transparency to school curricula to AI-powered procurement oversight — that had languished on Portugal's to-do list for decades. Whether the remaining measures maintain this pace will depend on sustained political will in a parliament where anti-corruption rhetoric has historically outpaced legislative action.