Saturday, 13 June 2026

Portugal is facing criticism for denying entry visas to at least 20 midwives from Africa and Asia who were scheduled to attend an International Confederation of Midwives congress in Lisbon. Organisers argue the decision prevents experts from regions with high maternal mortality rates from participating, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains that the visa process is rigorous and compliant with the Schengen Visa Code.

A strike by registry and notary workers reached a national participation rate of 93.41% this Friday, causing the closure of most registry offices across 14 districts in mainland Portugal. The union behind the action warns of a severe human resources crisis, while the Ministry of Justice highlighted the recent hiring of 165 new registrars and 605 registry officers to address staffing needs.

Former Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) secretary-general Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues has called on his party to vote against the government's future 2027 State Budget proposal. He argues that the PS should stop collaborating with the current administration to avoid strengthening the political alliance between the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and Chega.

European Union countries have reached a political agreement to reform air passenger rights, which will prohibit airlines from charging extra fees to parents who wish to sit next to their children. The overhaul, which also simplifies claims for canceled or delayed flights, is expected to take effect in the second half of the year following a final vote by the European Parliament.

The Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos or OM) has expressed concern over the frequent replacement of clinical directors and boards within the SNS. According to the association, the government has replaced 50 clinical directors in the last two years, with the OM leadership arguing that the health service requires greater stability to produce results.

Four young influencers have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven to eight years for the rape and filming of a 16-year-old girl in Loures. The court ordered three of the defendants into preventive detention due to flight risk, while the fourth remains at liberty pending a potential appeal. The group was also ordered to pay 50,000 euros in compensation to the victim.

Telecommunications company Meo has been granted the status of a company in restructuring by the government, a move that facilitates the termination of employment contracts. The company plans to reach agreements for the departure of 1,200 workers by the end of the year, allowing for mutual agreements that include unemployment benefits beyond standard legal quotas.

The Assembly of the Republic has passed the 2026-2028 Criminal Policy Law, which allows inmates to participate in forest clearing to prevent wildfires and grants police new stop-and-search powers in high-impact crime areas. Additionally, lawmakers approved a measure enabling the state to confiscate criminal assets even in cases where the defendant is not convicted, aligning with European Union directives.

Lisbon City Council is considering a proposal to eliminate the 50% discount on school meals for students not covered by the Social School Action (Ação Social Escolar or ASE) program. Education Councillor Rodrigo Mello Gonçalves stated the change aims to focus support on lower-income families, though the opposition, including the Socialist Party and Left Bloc, has criticized the move as harmful to the middle class.

The government's 10-million-euro subsidy program for electric vehicle purchases, which opened on Thursday, was fully subscribed within a few hours. Minister for the Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho confirmed that no further schemes will be launched this year, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a factor in the decision.

The Council of Europe has threatened further action against Portugal unless the government presents a concrete plan to address prison overcrowding. Minister of Justice Rita Alarcão Júdice faced pressure during a recent committee meeting regarding the delayed closure of the Lisbon Penitentiary and ongoing human rights concerns within the prison system.

President of the Republic António José Seguro is set to swear in four new Constitutional Court judges this Monday. The judges were elected by Parliament following a joint list agreement between the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Chega, and the Socialist Party (PS).

The European Central Bank (Banco Central Europeu or BCE) has increased key interest rates by 0.25%, a move economists warn will lead to higher home loan repayments. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (Fundo Monetário Internacional or FMI) has lowered growth forecasts for the Eurozone while raising inflation expectations. Officials advise a cautious approach to financial decision-making as the international economic crisis continues.