António José Seguro, in his inaugural address as President of the Republic, called for cross-party cooperation to ensure political stability and avoid frequent parliamentary dissolutions, while proposing national pacts on healthcare, housing, and economic growth.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, has rejected Chega's request for an urgent parliamentary debate on fuel, food, and taxes, citing that the party has already exhausted its allocated scheduling slots.
Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis has warned that the eurozone must brace for a prolonged period of economic instability driven by geopolitical conflicts, rising energy costs, and persistent inflationary pressures.
PS leader José Luís Carneiro criticises the Government for a lack of democratic humility following the collapse of negotiations regarding new labour legislation.
Oil prices experienced a record 28% surge following production warnings in the Gulf, with diesel costs rising significantly more than petrol due to market volatility and geopolitical tensions.
António José Seguro has officially taken office as the 21st President of the Portuguese Republic, succeeding Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who was honored with the Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty on his final day.
The new President took office in Belém, emphasizing the need for national stability while highlighting critical challenges including an ageing population, healthcare and housing deficits, and a slow judicial system.
João Massano of the Bar Association proposes the creation of a specialized court to handle the backlog of approximately 200,000 immigration cases currently pending against AIMA in administrative courts.
Bruno Pereira argues that integrating civilian staff into the PSP could free up over 2,500 officers for operational roles and generate significant annual savings.
The Portuguese tax authority has clarified that capital gains tax exemptions for reinvestment are limited when a property owned individually is sold and replaced by a jointly purchased home, restricting the benefit to the owner's share.
An analysis of the medical residency program at S. João Hospital and a critique of the populist political response to the closure of emergency services at Barreiro Hospital.
Infraestruturas de Portugal has announced that the metrobus service in Coimbra is scheduled to extend its operations to Coimbra-B station and Praça da República by mid-August, following strong initial demand.
António José Seguro has been sworn in as Portugal's 21st President, marking a new political era as seven months of labour reform negotiations end without agreement. Residents face a mix of infrastructure updates, including a €318 million train investment and grid modernization, against a backdrop of rising energy costs and regional instability. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has finalized compensation terms for victims of sexual abuse.
Negotiations for a new labour reform package ended without an agreement between the government, the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT), and employer confederations. The Business Confederation of Portugal (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal or CIP) stated that 12 points remain unresolved after seven months of debate, including last-minute demands that hindered a consensus. While the government blamed the UGT for being “intransigent,” the union argued the proposals were structurally inadequate and failed to meet necessary conditions. Workers should note that current labour laws remain in place as the future of the reform package is now uncertain.
Update: Opposition leader criticizes government's "lack of humility"
The Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), José Luís Carneiro, accused the government of a “lack of democratic humility” following the collapse of labor negotiations. Carneiro argued that the failure to reach an agreement with social partners harms the country's competitiveness and urged Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to resume dialogue on more acceptable terms.
The General Union of Workers (UGT – União Geral de Trabalhadores) is one of Portugal’s two main national trade union confederations. Founded in Lisbon on 28 October 1978, it was created as a social‑democratic alternative to the more communist‑aligned CGTP after the 1974 Revolution, grouping unions close to the Socialist Party and moderate centre‑right currents.
UGT represents around 400,000 workers and is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation and International Trade Union Confederation, giving Portuguese labour a voice at EU and global level. Its principles stress union independence from the state, employers, churches and parties, internal democracy and active worker participation.
Historically, UGT’s hallmark has been “propositive” social dialogue: it is usually more willing than CGTP to sign tripartite agreements on wages, labour law and social policy with governments and employers, shaping minimum wage increases, working‑time rules and social protection reforms. This makes UGT a key centrist actor in Portugal’s industrial relations, often mediating between left and right while defending collective bargaining and incremental improvements to labour rights.
CIP is the Confederation of Portuguese Business (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal), the main employers’ association that represents companies and sector groups in Portugal. It lobbies government on economic and labour policy and its statements are watched by investors, employers and workers when debates arise over funding rules and labour reforms.
Socialist Party (PS)
Portugal's other traditional major party suffered a historic collapse in the 2025 election, dropping from 78 to 58 seats and falling to third place for the first time in democratic history. The party was led by Pedro Nuno Santos from January 2024 until his resignation following the May 2025 defeat. José Luís Carneiro, a 53-year-old former Minister of Internal Administration known for his moderate positioning within the party, was elected unopposed as the new Secretary-General with 95% of votes in June 2025. The Socialist Party governed Portugal from 2015 to 2024, including an absolute majority from 2022 to 2024 under António Costa, who resigned in November 2023 amid a corruption investigation. The PS previously led the innovative "Geringonça" (contraption) coalition government from 2015-2019, a minority government supported by the Left Bloc and Portuguese Communist Party that reversed austerity measures and presided over economic recovery.
Comboios de Portugal (CP) has signed an amendment to its contract with Alstom-DST to purchase 36 additional trains for urban services, bringing the total investment to €1.8 billion for nearly 200 new units. Minister of Infrastructure Miguel Pinto Luz described the move as the largest investment in train purchases in the country's history. Travelers should note that the new units are expected to begin arriving in 2029, two years earlier than originally planned.
Miguel Pinto Luz is Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure. On Feb 24, 2026 he told journalists in Viseu that works on the A1 motorway in the Coimbra area would be fully completed and traffic restored to four lanes by the end of that week.
CP is the Portuguese national rail operator (Comboios de Portugal), a state-owned company that runs most passenger train services. The Council of Ministers authorised CP to buy up to 20 high-speed multiple units (12 firm orders with an option for 8) to prepare it for a leading role in high‑speed services.
Low-cost bus operator Flixbus is accusing the Rede Nacional de Expressos (RNE) of violating the law by blocking its access to the Sete Rios bus terminal in Lisbon. Flixbus claims a recent court ruling grants them immediate entry, while RNE argues the decision allows them to evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis. Travelers should be aware that the Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) has proposed new legislation to prevent bus operators from managing terminals used by their competitors.
Iniciativa Liberal and João Cotrim de Figueiredo tend to draw support from urban, economically liberal voters — often professionals, entrepreneurs and higher‑income residents in cities like Lisbon and Porto — who prioritise lower taxes, deregulation and individual freedoms. The party also attracts some younger voters and expatriates who favour pro‑market policies and a smaller state role.
Hugo Soares, the parliamentary leader of the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), has defended the government’s approach to immigration as a “quiet change” that avoids ideological extremes. Soares challenged the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) and Chega to reach a consensus on revisions to the Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade). Visa holders should note that the government aims to position itself in the “moderate centre” while tightening certain regulations.
Hugo Soares is the PSD parliamentary leader, as noted during a recent biweekly debate. He warned the PSD will pursue all available measures if it believes an amendment to the lay-off decree-law approved by the opposition violates the law, which matters for workers and employers following labour-rule changes.
Rui Rio is a centre‑right politician who served as mayor of Porto from 2002 to 2013 and led the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata) from 2018 to 2022. Known for moderate and fiscally cautious positions, he remains an influential voice in PSD debates and national politics, so journalists and party members often cite his views.
Chega ("Enough") is a Portuguese far-right populist party founded in 2019 by André Ventura. It positions itself as an anti-establishment movement against what it calls a "rotten and corrupt system" of PS-PSD dominance. The party surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest force with 60 seats. Chega's core platform emphasizes strict immigration control—ending automatic CPLP residency, deporting non-independent immigrants, implementing job-market quotas, and requiring five-year social security contributions before benefit access. It advocates radical constitutional reform, including reducing parliament to 100 members, abolishing the prime minister position for a presidential system, and dismantling public healthcare. Law-and-order policies include life imprisonment and chemical castration proposals.
The party is defined by inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric, with Ventura convicted multiple times for discrimination. Chega maintains international alignments with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen, Santiago Abascal, and Matteo Salvini. Mainstream Portuguese parties, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government, have imposed a cordon sanitaire, refusing coalition with Chega despite its parliamentary strength.
António José Seguro took office as the 21st President of the Portuguese Republic (Presidente da República), succeeding Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa after his ten-year term. In his first official act, Seguro decorated his predecessor with the Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty (Grande-Colar da Ordem da Liberdade) and met with young people to discuss a new “coalition” for the future. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro welcomed the new head of state, expressing confidence in a period of loyal institutional and political cooperation. Residents should note that this transition marks a new chapter in Portuguese governance following the record-breaking election results.
Update: President Seguro calls for stability in first speech
In his inaugural address, President António José Seguro urged political parties to prioritize stability and avoid frequent dissolutions of the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República). He emphasized that rejecting a state budget should not automatically trigger new elections and identified healthcare and housing as urgent priorities requiring cross-party consensus. The new president also signaled a shift in style from his predecessor, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, by maintaining a more formal distance from the media during his first day at the Belém Palace (Palácio de Belém).
The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is Portugal’s unicameral parliament of 230 deputies elected for four‑year terms; it makes laws, approves the budget and oversees the government.
Background:
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and Socialist Party politician running for president in Portugal's January 18, 2026 election. He led Socialist Youth (1990-1994), served as MEP (1999-2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001-2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004-2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025. Political Philosophy:
Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, offering a progressive alternative to conservative candidates. He advocates for "financial responsibility but critical of austerity," attempting to reposition the PS at center-left. His campaign emphasizes institutional trust, efficient governance, and hope for a better future.
Electoral Mandate and Democratic Consensus:
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was elected President of Portugal on January 24, 2016, winning 52.0% of the vote in the first round—a decisive victory in a fragmented field. He campaigned as an independent, positioning himself as a unifying figure after years of austerity from Portugal's 2011–14 bailout, promising to repair political divisions and restore national confidence. His campaign emphasized moderation and cross-party consensus, a departure from his decades-long association with the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD). Upon taking office on March 9, 2016, he suspended his party membership for the duration of his presidency.
His 2021 re-election proved extraordinary: Rebelo de Sousa secured 60.7% of the vote—the third-highest margin in Portuguese presidential electoral history since the 1974 Carnation Revolution. Historically, he became the first candidate ever to win in all 308 municipalities and the vast majority of parishes, ranging from 51.3% in Beja District to 72.16% in Madeira. This unprecedented sweep reflected his broad appeal across social, geographic, and ideological divides.
Constitutional Role and Crisis Leadership:
Portugal operates as a semi-presidential system where the president, while largely ceremonial, exercises meaningful influence over national security, foreign policy, and military affairs as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Rebelo de Sousa leveraged this authority during Portugal's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, he requested parliamentary authorization for a state of emergency—the first nationwide declaration in 46 years of democratic history—to contain the crisis. He voluntarily quarantined after potential COVID-19 exposure in March 2020, and later tested positive in January 2021 while remaining asymptomatic. His measured handling of the pandemic, balancing public health with institutional continuity, contributed to his landslide 2021 re-election.
Diplomatic Engagement and International Presence:
Rebelo de Sousa has conducted extensive state visits representing Portugal's interests across diverse regions: the Vatican, Spain, Mozambique, Morocco, Brazil, Switzerland, Cuba, the United Kingdom, Greece, the United States, and Angola. A notable diplomatic highlight occurred in 2019 when he joined President Emmanuel Macron at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, representing European military cooperation and the European Intervention Initiative. These engagements positioned Portugal as an active participant in global affairs, particularly regarding colonial history and Atlantic security partnerships.
Colonial Legacy and Historical Accountability:
During his presidency, Rebelo de Sousa has publicly supported making restitution and acknowledging abuses committed during Portugal's colonial history and the country's role in the Atlantic slave trade. This position marked a significant policy shift, as Portugal historically avoided confronting its imperial past compared to other European powers. His stance reflected evolving attitudes within Portuguese society toward historical accountability.
Controversies and Public Criticism:
Rebelo de Sousa's presidency has not been without controversy. In 2023, allegations emerged that he had intervened to expedite treatment for Brazilian twins with Zolgensma, an expensive rare disease medication, raising questions about presidential influence and potential corruption. These claims implicated his son and generated criticism across Portuguese political and media sectors. Additionally, in April 2024, Rebelo de Sousa made controversial remarks comparing the speed of Prime Ministers António Costa and Luís Montenegro using orientalist language that drew public rebuke. In August 2025, he called U.S. President Donald Trump a "Russian asset" at a PSD event, demonstrating his willingness to make provocative foreign policy statements.
Constitutional Constraints and Legacy:
Under Portugal's constitution, Rebelo de Sousa is barred from running for a third consecutive term, meaning his presidency concludes with elections scheduled for January 18, 2026. His decade-long tenure has established him as one of Portugal's most popular recent heads of state, characterized by broad consensus-building and institutional stability. Whether future presidents can replicate his cross-party appeal remains an open question for Portuguese democracy as it enters a new era.
The Ministry of Environment and Energy has opened a €60 million support fund from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência or PRR) to improve the flexibility and security of the public electrical grid. The funding is targeted at private companies for the installation of energy storage systems to support renewable energy integration. Business owners in the renewable sector should note that this coincides with a broader European strategy to attract private capital for clean energy.
The Recovery and Resilience Plan (Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência) is Portugal's national programme under the EU's NextGenerationEU to fund reforms and investments after COVID‑19; the plan includes roughly €16.6 billion in grants plus about €2.7 billion in loans approved in 2021. Payments are tied to specific milestones and targets — which the government said it is politically committed to meet — so missed milestones can delay projects and funding that affect public works, contractors and local services.
The Portuguese Episcopal Conference (Conferência Episcopal Portuguesa or CEP) has finalized the financial compensation amounts for victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. While specific values have not been publicly disclosed to protect privacy, the CEP stated that victims will soon be notified of the decisions based on independent expert opinions. Those affected should be aware that notifications regarding compensation decisions will be sent privately in the coming weeks.
The Portuguese Episcopal Conference (Conferência Episcopal Portuguesa or CEP) is the official assembly of Catholic bishops in Portugal. It serves as the representative body for the Catholic Church in the country, coordinating religious activities and engaging with the government on social and legal issues. The organization recently established a framework for financial compensation for victims of sexual abuse within the church.
G7 finance ministers, including Portugal's Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, decided not to release strategic oil reserves despite prices rising near $120 per barrel due to Middle East tensions. Sarmento warned that releasing limited reserves would only provide temporary relief and should be saved for actual emergency supply disruptions. Portugal currently maintains reserves covering approximately 90 days of consumption, which the government views as a vital buffer against total supply failure. Drivers and residents should be aware that fuel prices may remain volatile as international markets react to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Update: Diesel prices see historic 20-cent daily surge
Fuel prices in Portugal experienced a significant jump this Monday, with diesel (gasóleo) increasing by 20 cents per litre, surpassing the price of petrol for the first time since 2022. While Brent crude prices fluctuated wildly, touching $119 before closing near $99, the immediate impact at Portuguese pumps reflects the high volatility in global energy markets.
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento is Portugal’s Finance Minister who gave a hearing before the Budget, Finance and Public Administration Committee about fiscal measures affecting housing. His remarks matter to expats because finance ministry decisions — like exemptions and public guarantees for young homebuyers — influence the property market, taxes and programmes that can affect housing affordability.
The President of the Eurogroup, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, warned that the eurozone must prepare for a prolonged period of economic instability due to the conflict in the Middle East. He noted that while the European economy is resilient, potential disruptions to maritime transport and energy supplies could threaten the 2% inflation target. Residents should be aware that these external shocks may lead to sustained pressure on energy prices and supply chains in the coming months.
The Eurogroup is a meeting of finance ministers from the 20 European Union countries that use the Euro currency. It coordinates economic policies and manages financial stability, including responses to energy price volatility caused by global conflicts. Residents should note that its decisions influence inflation and the broader economic environment across the Eurozone.
The Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Emídio de Sousa, confirmed that approximately 700 citizens have returned to Portugal from the Middle East via state-sponsored flights. The repatriation efforts involved aircraft from TAP and the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa) to assist those fleeing the regional conflict. Residents with family in the region should note that additional commercial flights, including from Emirates, continue to bring more citizens home.
The Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea) is Portugal’s military branch for defending national airspace and conducting aerial operations. Created in 1952, it also carries out search-and-rescue, aerial reconnaissance and disaster support such as photographing floods or moving emergency teams. Residents in affected regions may see its planes and helicopters used during storms and relief missions.
Former Economy Minister Manuel Pinho has appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justiça) against his 10-year prison sentence for corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud. Pinho was convicted in 2024 for allegedly receiving illegal payments from former banker Ricardo Salgado during his time in government. The appeal cites procedural flaws and statute of limitations issues, with the defense requesting either a full acquittal or a reduced sentence of seven and a half years. Residents following the long-running EDP case should note that the former minister remains under house arrest while the high court reviews the case.
Ricardo Salgado is the former chairman and CEO of Banco Espírito Santo (BES), the bank that collapsed in 2014 and triggered one of Portugal’s largest financial scandals. He has faced multiple criminal charges including fraud and money laundering, and recent appeal-court rulings ordering a new trial—despite reports about his Alzheimer’s—are important for anyone following accountability in Portugal’s banking sector.
Manuel Pinho is a former Portuguese Minister of Economy who served from 2005 to 2009 under the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) government. In June 2024, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for passive corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud related to undeclared payments from the Espírito Santo Group (Grupo Espírito Santo). His case is one of several high-profile legal proceedings involving former government officials and the collapse of the Banco Espírito Santo banking empire.
A new report from the Migration Observatory (Observatório das Migrações) reveals that immigrants contributed over €4.15 billion to the Social Security (Segurança Social) system in 2025. This figure represents 14% of the total revenue, highlighting the significant economic role of foreign residents in the national welfare system. Residents should note that this contribution comes despite immigrants making up a smaller percentage of the overall population.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, has rejected a request from the Chega party for an urgent debate on the rising cost of living. The refusal was based on the party having already exhausted its allotted slots for mandatory parliamentary scheduling (agendamentos potestativos). Chega leader André Ventura had sought the debate to discuss government measures regarding fuel, food, and indirect taxation.
José Pedro Aguiar‑Branco is the President of the Assembly of the Republic, who in this story requested that the Committee on Constitutional Affairs examine the constitutional conformity of government measures in a proposed bill. He is using his parliamentary role to trigger a formal review of changes affecting confession rules and the rights of the defence.
Chega ("Enough") is a Portuguese far-right populist party founded in 2019 by André Ventura. It positions itself as an anti-establishment movement against what it calls a "rotten and corrupt system" of PS-PSD dominance. The party surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest force with 60 seats. Chega's core platform emphasizes strict immigration control—ending automatic CPLP residency, deporting non-independent immigrants, implementing job-market quotas, and requiring five-year social security contributions before benefit access. It advocates radical constitutional reform, including reducing parliament to 100 members, abolishing the prime minister position for a presidential system, and dismantling public healthcare. Law-and-order policies include life imprisonment and chemical castration proposals.
The party is defined by inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric, with Ventura convicted multiple times for discrimination. Chega maintains international alignments with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen, Santiago Abascal, and Matteo Salvini. Mainstream Portuguese parties, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government, have imposed a cordon sanitaire, refusing coalition with Chega despite its parliamentary strength.
The Portuguese government is putting five state-owned properties up for public auction (hasta pública) on March 31st to raise funds for national housing policies. The buildings, located in Lisbon and Porto, have a combined starting bid of €17.9 million, with two Lisbon properties expected to generate 96% of the total revenue. This sale is the first phase of a larger plan to liquidate 16 state assets to finance affordable housing initiatives. Those seeking housing or investment opportunities should note that the Ministry of Finance intends to channel all proceeds directly into public housing projects.
The government is confident that the European Commission will not oppose its temporary discount on the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (Imposto sobre os Produtos Petrolíferos or ISP) for diesel. Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento stated that the measure is extraordinary and temporary, designed to mitigate the impact of high energy prices caused by conflict in the Middle East. Drivers should note that the discount is intended to provide immediate relief at the pump while the government monitors international oil market volatility. The tax relief remains a key part of the national strategy to manage rising living costs.
