António José Seguro is concluding his five-day Open Presidency (Presidência Aberta) in the Central region, specifically focusing on the Leiria district. The initiative, which involved meetings with energy regulators and local residents, addressed urgent recovery needs following severe weather in February. Seguro faced significant pressure from citizens seeking faster intervention from insurance companies and state support.

The 2025 Annual Internal Security Report (Relatório Anual de Segurança Interna or RASI) indicates that while Portugal remains generally safe, hate crimes have risen by 6.7%. The report also notes a decade-high number of rape reports and expresses concern over the normalization of misogynistic rhetoric and online radicalization. Meanwhile, police authorities reported 19 arrests for domestic violence during the recent Easter period.

A national deposit return scheme for single-use plastic and metal beverage containers up to three liters is now in effect. Consumers pay a 10-cent deposit per item at purchase, which is reimbursed when the empty, intact container is returned to designated collection machines. Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho described the initiative as a major environmental project for the country.

André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, announced five conditions for supporting the government's proposed labour law revisions, including protections against discretionary dismissals and improved parental leave. While the government maintains an open door for negotiations following the rejection of its proposal by the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT), the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has ruled out collaborating on the reform. The government emphasized it will pursue negotiations on a case-by-case basis rather than relying on preferred partners.

A recent conclusion from the Advocate General of the European Union regarding case C-70/25 suggests that banks may no longer use 'gross negligence' as a blanket defense to deny reimbursement for digital fraud. The opinion argues that financial institutions should be required to reimburse unauthorized transactions immediately, shifting the burden of proof onto the banks if they wish to pursue claims of customer negligence.

Data from the European statistical office, Eurostat, shows that Portugal led the eurozone in housing price growth during 2025. Property prices in the country rose by 17.6% over the year, marking the highest increase among all member states in the currency bloc.

A new European border control system for non-EU citizens has officially come into force across the European Union. The system, which utilizes biometric data, follows a phased implementation period that previously caused processing constraints at Lisbon airport.

Outgoing Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional or TC) president José João Abrantes stated that the institution must remain independent and not be swayed by parliamentary majorities. He dismissed claims of a constitutional crisis as invented, asserting that the current Constitution remains one of the most progressive in the world. Abrantes also criticized political parties that question the court's legitimacy when its rulings conflict with their agendas.

The government approved new rules exempting public contracts under 10 million euros from prior approval by the Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas or TdC). Minister Gonçalo Saraiva Matias stated the reform aims to reduce bureaucracy, though the move faces opposition from Chega, which labeled the potential change an invitation to corruption. The government maintains that the adjustment is a responsible step to modernize public management.

The Council of Ministers approved a 600 million euro credit line, titled Portugal Energy Resilience, to assist companies struggling with rising energy costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. The measure includes a one-year grace period and aims to provide immediate financial support to businesses facing supply chain pressures. This initiative is part of a broader government effort to mitigate the economic impact of international instability.

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (Rede Europeia dos Operadores de Sistemas de Transporte de Gás or ENTSOG) reported that European Union gas reserves have fallen to 28%, the lowest level in three years. While the European Commission stated there is no immediate risk to supply, it warned of long-term consequences for energy security due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The government approved an increase in the funeral allowance for minors and people with disabilities, raising the benefit from approximately 268 euros to 1,611 euros. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro stated the change corrects a discriminatory practice that previously limited reimbursement based on an individual's contributory career. The new amount is equivalent to three times the Social Support Index (Indexante de Apoios Sociais or IAS).

Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte announced the closure of ten illegal dwellings in the city, including a basement hidden beneath a souvenir shop on Rua de Santa Catarina. The council identified these sites as exploitative and is offering emergency support to the residents affected. Officials estimate that over 125 similar cases of illegal accommodation may exist throughout the city.

The Coimbra City Council is proposing a two-year partial suspension of the Municipal Master Plan (Plano Diretor Municipal or PDM) to facilitate new construction in riverside areas. The initiative aims to address the city's housing shortage and accommodate structural changes driven by recent mobility investments. Local officials hope the move will reduce restrictive rules and attract necessary development to the region.