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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.

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...

Seguro Closes Madrid Debut With Spanish Backing for UN Seat — Presidential Trip Sets Iberian Agenda on Energy, Defence, and Capital Markets

Seguro Closes Madrid Debut With Spanish Backing for UN Seat — Presidential Trip Sets Iberian Agenda on Energy, Defence, and Capital Markets

President António José Seguro closed his first foreign trip on 21 April after two days in Madrid, returning with Spanish backing for Portugal's UN Security Council bid and a blueprint for deeper Iberian integration in energy, defence and capital markets.

Two-Thirds of Portuguese Reject Montenegro's 'Country Is Better' Claim — Half Say His Government Is Worse Than Costa's, New Aximage Barometer Shows

Two-Thirds of Portuguese Reject Montenegro's 'Country Is Better' Claim — Half Say His Government Is Worse Than Costa's, New Aximage Barometer Shows

April Aximage barometer: 68% of Portuguese disagree that the country is better under Montenegro, 50.8% say his government is worse than Costa's last cabinet, and 54% give a negative grade. PS pulls ahead at 30.6%; President Seguro draws 69% positive ratings.