Frenchwoman Gisèle Pelicot, 73, has become a symbol of women's rights advocacy after deciding that the trial of her husband and dozens of men who raped her while she was sedated should be public.
Parliament invites Pelicot for initiatives on the Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Context & Explainers

The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is Portugal's unicameral parliament, located in the Palácio de São Bento in Lisbon. It consists of 230 deputies elected by proportional representation for four-year terms.
The Assembly's powers include making and amending laws, approving the state budget, ratifying international treaties, and overseeing the government through debates, hearings, and committees. It can also pass votes of no confidence to bring down a government, as happened in March 2025.
Following the May 2025 elections, the current parliamentary composition is led by the Democratic Alliance (AD) with the largest share of seats, followed by Chega, PS, and smaller parties including the Liberal Initiative, Left Bloc, Livre, and PCP.








