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Politics

Politics

In-depth coverage of Portuguese politics, parliament, government policy, and political analysis. Daily updates on legislative changes, coalition dynamics, and how politics affects expats.

UGT Unanimously Chumba the Trabalho XXI Overhaul — Palma Ramalho Pegs 7 May as Concertação's Last Day, Then the Diploma Heads Straight to Parlamento

UGT Unanimously Chumba the Trabalho XXI Overhaul — Palma Ramalho Pegs 7 May as Concertação's Last Day, Then the Diploma Heads Straight to Parlamento

UGT's Secretariado Nacional voted unanimously on 23 April to reject the Government's final labour reform draft. Minister Palma Ramalho gave UGT 15 days. The 7 May CPCS meeting is now the deadline before the package goes to Parliament without a concertation agreement.

Eve of Friday's Prosecutor Strike — SMMP Report Pegs the Ministério Público's Staffing Hole at 162 Magistrates and 267 Court Officials

Eve of Friday's Prosecutor Strike — SMMP Report Pegs the Ministério Público's Staffing Hole at 162 Magistrates and 267 Court Officials

Paulo Lona's union goes public with a region-by-region staffing map on the eve of Friday's national walkout. Lisbon is short 47 first-instance prosecutors, Évora 36, Porto 26, Coimbra 26, and the superior courts 27. One magistrate in Alenquer is carrying 2,700 open inquiries.

Arco da Rua Augusta at Praça do Comércio, Lisbon — historic heart of the city's banking district

Finance Minister Confirms Novo Banco Closes With BPCE on 30 April — Final Price Tops €6.4 Billion as State and Resolution Fund Cash Out Above the Original €1.6 Billion Target

Finance Minister Miranda Sarmento confirmed on 23 April that BPCE's takeover of Novo Banco closes next week — General Assembly 29 April, share transfer 30 April. Price moves above the €6.4bn signed in June 2025; Lone Star exits with more than €4.8bn against its 2017 €1bn injection.

Portugal Sets New Military Recruitment Target — Nuno Melo Tells Parliament the Armed Forces Must Grow by 3,700 by End of 2027 as Defence Spending Heads to 5% of GDP

Portugal Sets New Military Recruitment Target — Nuno Melo Tells Parliament the Armed Forces Must Grow by 3,700 by End of 2027 as Defence Spending Heads to 5% of GDP

Defence Minister Nuno Melo presented the 2025-2029 Law of Major Options to Parliament on 21 April, setting a target of 3,700 extra uniformed personnel by end-2027 and a path toward 5% of GDP on defence by 2029.

Lula Leaves Lisbon With No Signed Treaties — But With Montenegro Quoting 235,000 Brazilian Regularizations and a Mercosur Pitch as Portugal's Strategic Wedge

Lula Leaves Lisbon With No Signed Treaties — But With Montenegro Quoting 235,000 Brazilian Regularizations and a Mercosur Pitch as Portugal's Strategic Wedge

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva concluded a one-day official visit to Lisbon on Tuesday 21 April with a single public verdict — “ muito boa, maravilhosa ” (very good, wonderful) — and with no signed bilateral treaty to show...