Update: The government has signed a negotiation agreement with the Federação Nacional dos Médicos (National Federation of Doctors) and reiterated it will not give up on finding consensus with healthcare professionals. This follows earlier announcements that talks would begin over medical‑career issues; the agreement may reduce short‑term strike risks but does not yet detail concrete concessions. Expats who rely on Portuguese public healthcare should monitor negotiations for any service disruptions or policy changes.

Update: A CNN feature gives an inside look at the National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM), showing call handling and front-line response procedures. Combined with earlier reporting that a planned ambulance purchase was delayed, the coverage highlights operational pressures and procurement shortfalls that can affect response times. For expats, the pieces explain how emergency calls are triaged and why response capacity can vary regionally.

A daily tracking poll aggregated over 7–9 January shows 'Seguro' returning to first place while Cotrim de Figueiredo moves into a joint lead position and André Ventura slips to third; pollsters describe a technical five‑way tie. The sample (about 600 aggregated interviews) used quotas by gender, age and geography, and the results increase the likelihood of a second round. Expats following the election should watch shifting dynamics that could affect the presidential runoff and turnout.

Presidential candidate André Pestana said he does not want additional spending for NATO and argues that money moved to private healthcare providers should instead be invested in the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). He made the remarks while campaigning in Coimbra, framing health funding as a top priority. Expats with an interest in Portugal's healthcare funding should watch how candidates propose to balance defence and health budgets.

António José Seguro sought to temper supporters' enthusiasm by warning that 'nothing is won' despite positive polling, while former navy admiral Gouveia e Melo publicly criticised Seguro's conduct on the same day he counted on Rui Rio's support. The exchange illustrates rising tensions in the campaign and the presence of prominent voices weighing in on candidate behaviour. Expats following the campaign should note the competing narratives as they may influence undecided voters.

The Food and Economic Safety Authority (Food and Economic Safety Authority (Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica)) has overseen the market withdrawal of specific NAN and Alfamino Júnior batches after detecting the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus, in a raw material. Nestlé had already begun removing lots and ASAE emphasises the measure is precautionary; no illnesses have been reported so far. Parents and carers in Portugal should check batch numbers, follow retailer or manufacturer instructions, and watch ASAE notices for return/disposal guidance.

CNN reports rising poverty in the Alentejo region, with local leaders blaming state neglect and an increase in so‑called 'precarious immigration' for worsening conditions. The story points to stretched services and limited job opportunities in parts of inland Portugal, highlighting uneven regional recovery. For expats, this signals persistent regional disparities that can affect local labour markets and community services.

André Ventura said he expects to reach the presidential second round and publicly challenged the Prime Minister to say which candidate he would support in a possible Ventura–Seguro runoff. The remarks signal Ventura's confidence and heighten early campaign rivalry; voters and observers should watch any endorsements or tactical statements that could shape a second-round contest. For expats, this underlines the fluidity of the race and potential run-off scenarios.

CNN reports that if the presidential election goes to the rare second round, citizens who turn 18 between the two votes will be eligible only for the second round — meaning some young people will miss the first ballot. Polling indicates a second round is likely, so prospective young voters should check registration rules and deadlines ahead of both dates. This affects anyone tracking youth turnout or advising young Portuguese citizens.

Unions and national outlets report that all six medical emergency ambulances in the Algarve were taken out of service due to lack of staff, affecting units in Portimão, Alcantarilha, Quarteira (two), Faro and Olhão. The Sindicato dos Técnicos de Emergência Pré‑Hospitalar (STEPH) warned the stoppage — described as the worst since 2013 — and union leaders have welcomed government reinforcements while urging worker mobilisations from the North and Centre to fill gaps. For residents and visitors this raises the risk of slower ambulance response times in the region; keep local emergency contacts handy and verify nearest hospital capabilities.

Update: the Assembly approved the government's housing package in principle (aprovado na generalidade), confirming the cross‑party momentum reported earlier — parties such as the PSD supported it while others abstained or remain cautious. This procedural approval moves the bill to later stages but does not finalise measures; implementation details and timelines remain uncertain. Practical note for expats: key measures may still change during later votes, so do not expect immediate relief on rents or housing availability.

CNN Portugal spent time inside CODU, INEM’s medical call centre in Lisbon and found a centre under sustained pressure where high call volumes demand rapid, accurate triage and careful deployment of ambulances and other rescue resources. The report examines how operators prioritise calls, the protocols guiding decision-making, and the operational strain of matching limited resources to urgent needs.

Chega leader André Ventura renewed his challenge to the PSD and its leader Luís Montenegro to declare whether they would back him or the Socialist candidate António José Seguro in a hypothetical presidential runoff. Ventura vowed that if he failed to reach the second round he would do “everything” to stop a Socialist from becoming President, framing the contest as a choice over what idea of the Republic should be represented in Belém and warning against a President who would, in his view, threaten the economy and individual freedoms. The statement increases pressure on the centre‑right to clarify alliances and highlights how the presidential race is being used to test party loyalties and shape broader political narratives ahead of national contests.