Campaign reporting shows André Ventura (Chega) saying João Cotrim de Figueiredo's support in a possible second round is “natural” while also downplaying its importance; commentators note Cotrim has significantly influenced the campaign narrative and media coverage. Outlets add that other figures such as Gouveia e Melo have commented they are not surprised by possible tactical alignments. For expats: watch second‑round dynamics — endorsements and tactical voting talk can shift campaign messaging quickly and affect turnout and debate tone.

Update: Multiple outlets report João Cotrim de Figueiredo wrote to PSD leader Luís Montenegro after a Católica University poll, asking the PSD to back him or recommend a PSD vote for his candidacy in order to prevent either the PS or Chega candidate reaching the presidency; the letter quotes Sá Carneiro and comes as other campaign figures try to counter poll momentum. This formal appeal intensifies tactical-vote manoeuvring in the final days of the campaign.

The CGTP trade-union confederation expects a large demonstration in Lisbon on Tuesday, starting at Praça Luís de Camões and heading to the Prime Minister's Office (São Bento), where it plans to deliver a petition with tens of thousands of signatures demanding withdrawal of the government's labour package. The protest happens on the eve of a requested meeting at São Bento with the Prime Minister and the Labour Minister, underlining continued union pressure after last December’s strike. For expats who work in affected areas, expect central-Lisbon disruption around 14:30 and possible concentrated media attention on any government response that could influence labour-policy timing.

Update: Multiple outlets reported that presidential candidates Catarina Martins and António Filipe attended the CGTP demonstration in Lisbon, joining the rally against the government's labour package and increasing political visibility at the event.

The government has announced plans to set up a working group to study and advance an expansion of Porto Airport, initiating a formal review stage rather than immediate construction. Multiple outlets say the move is an early step to progress capacity planning and regulatory permissions; detailed proposals and timelines were not published. Porto travellers and residents should expect a period of public consultation and planning notices — construction and route changes could follow later, so watch local council announcements and airport communications.

Multiple outlets report that Seguro is campaigning to enter the presidential second round in first place as a strategy to block what he calls an “extremist” candidate, while also saying he refuses to “wade into the mud” of negative campaigning. The coverage frames his pitch as appealing to tactical voters who want to prevent an extremist candidate reaching the presidency. Voters and political observers should note tactical-vote messaging may intensify in coming days.

TAP will invest €20 million to build a new maintenance hangar in Porto, a project the carrier says will take about two years and create nearly 200 jobs. The hub is intended to increase TAP's in-house maintenance capacity, reduce reliance on external providers and support new or strengthened routes (reports name Terceira, Praia, Tel Aviv and Boston). Porto residents and jobseekers should watch for recruitment and planning notices; passengers may see improved maintenance resilience and potential route growth over the next two years.

Reporting examines cases where the National Institute for Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) — INEM — failed to arrive in time, adding to concerns about pre-hospital response amid broader pressure on emergency services. The piece links ambulance and response delays to current strains across the system rather than isolated incidents. Those relying on urgent medical care should note potential delays and ensure they understand local emergency procedures and alternative routes to care.

A LabCom study at the University of Beira Interior finds disinformation linked to the presidential campaign has reached over 7.7 million views on social media since November 2025, with André Ventura associated with about 85.7% of identified cases. Multiple national outlets report the figures consistently, noting the high concentration around one candidate and the scale of reach. Voters and social-media users should be cautious about viral claims and cross-check major assertions with reputable outlets.

Three representative firefighters' associations have requested an urgent audience with the Prime Minister and parliamentary groups to present proposals for the sector, rejecting responsibility for current pre-hospital emergency problems and urging structural changes. Associations call for a single command structure and say the Framework Law on Civil Protection (Lei-Quadro da Proteção Civil) should be approved before the Framework Law on Health. Those relying on emergency response should note the sector is pressing for legal and organisational changes that could affect response arrangements and local coordination.

Reportage says the new Civil Protection law has been finalised and is expected to enter into force this year, marking a legislative update to how disasters and civil emergencies are managed. Outlets note the law's timing is politically sensitive given calls from firefighters for prioritisation and structural changes in emergency command. Residents in areas prone to wildfires or floods should watch for new local procedures and official guidance once the law is published.

The Energy Minister said the government has allocated €25 million to reinforce critical infrastructure and prepare for a potential future blackout, while Brussels has approved an 'anti-blackout' plan to strengthen resilience. Coverage says the funding aims at bolstering grids and critical sites and follows talks with major energy firms. Businesses and residents concerned about power reliability should track planned works and local notices that may cause temporary outages.

The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) in Lisbon is advancing proposals to require private urban-development projects to transfer land to the municipality so it can be used for public housing. Reporting indicates the measure is aimed at increasing the stock of affordable homes in the capital by leveraging development schemes. Those seeking housing in Lisbon should follow council debates — prospective buyers, tenants and developers could be affected if the rule changes land-use obligations.

In under 24 hours Cotrim de Figueiredo’s campaign was rocked by two controversies — a dispute linked to Ventura’s place in the second round and an allegation of harassment — prompting intense media and commentator reaction. A Catholic University poll that places Cotrim third, despite his insistence he can contest the second round, provided immediate relief and helped dissipate some of the political damage. Commentators including Miguel Santos Carrapatoso, Carlos Rodrigues and Bruno Batista framed the episode as a pivotal, potentially career-defining moment: Rodrigues argued Cotrim never sought the presidency, while Batista called the previous day a disastrous political mistake. The net effect is a campaign bruised but not decisively derailed, with the poll softening public fallout even as scrutiny and debate continue.

Portuguese reporting indicates a sharp rise in monthly fees at some care homes — increases of roughly €500 — driven largely by a persistent labour shortage and higher operating costs. The hikes are prompting families to withdraw elderly relatives, intensifying pressure on informal care networks and raising equity and access concerns for vulnerable patients. Economically, the trend highlights how rising labour costs and constrained staffing can be passed directly to users in minimally regulated markets, with implications for social policy, funding models and workforce recruitment/retention. Separately, French coverage notes a demobilisation of farmers’ protests in Paris, underscoring a wider context of labour and sectoral tensions across services and primary production.

A new study from the Karolinska Institute strengthens evidence that Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), the common cause of glandular fever, can trigger an immune response that damages the brain and may contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). The research supports the hypothesis that EBV infection is a key environmental driver of MS, a chronic inflammatory neurological disease affecting nearly three million people worldwide, in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system.