There may be four, not three, judges to replace at the Constitutional Court (TC). Público reports that president João Abrantes may leave before his term ends, increasing pressure to resolve the political deadlock over the appointment of judges. JN reveals a newspaper piracy scheme where, for 10 euros, users can join WhatsApp and Telegram groups to access content illegally. Correio da Manhã highlights the life of the Portuguese nurse convicted of murder, discovered in Jakarta. Mariana Fonseca lived with her girlfriend and received financial support from her parents; she is currently serving her sentence in Tires. Expresso features a report on the long winter in Ukraine and how the population is surviving amidst the prolonged war and intense cold.
Press review: More pressure on the Constitutional Court deadlock and newspaper 'pirates'
Context & Explainers
The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.
The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.
The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.
