Thursday, 23 July 2026

The Attorney General's Office is investigating the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, following reports that a construction company linked to his private property renovation also held multiple contracts with the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) during his tenure as its head. Authorities have identified potential evidence of misappropriation and abuse of power regarding the transport of chemical materials used in drug manufacturing by the same contractor.

Update: Chega considers parliamentary inquiry into Luís Neves

André Ventura, the leader of the Chega party, has announced that his party is considering a formal proposal for a parliamentary inquiry into the mandates of Luís Neves at the head of the PJ. Ventura stated that the ongoing controversies regarding the minister's property renovations and the seized trailer provide sufficient grounds for legislative scrutiny.

Minister of Education Fernando Alexandre has admitted to at least 680 scanning errors in recent national exams, which left some students without grades or with incorrect results. Despite criticism from opposition voices and public concern, the minister described the reaction as “exaggerated alarmism” and confirmed that the government remains committed to the digital grading reform.

The Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has disclosed details regarding 17 contracts awarded to a construction firm owned by an associate of the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves. Records show that only one of these contracts was awarded through a competitive public tender, raising questions about the procurement process used during the minister's tenure as head of the agency.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is meeting in Frankfurt to decide on monetary policy, with investors anticipating a potential pause in interest rate hikes. Officials are closely monitoring the recent rise in oil prices, which remains a primary concern for inflation forecasts and future economic stability.

Emergency services in the Algarve are experiencing significant delays as ambulances remain held up at hospitals, unable to release their stretchers. Local authorities and emergency responders attribute the bottleneck to a lack of social care facilities for patients who occupy hospital beds despite being medically cleared for discharge. The local health unit administration has characterized these reports as alarmist.

ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal has formally presented the technical report for the new Luís de Camões Airport, which is planned for the Alcochete Firing Range. The report details operational capacity, engineering projects, and multimodal connectivity, with estimates suggesting the project could cost nearly nine billion euros. Government officials and the concessionaire are now moving forward with the next stages of the development process.

The National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM) is currently using rental vehicles to respond to medical emergencies due to an aging fleet that frequently requires repairs. The agency's president confirmed the measure, while unions have raised concerns regarding the safety and legal compliance of using non-specialized vehicles for emergency services.

The Ombudsman (Provedor de Justiça) has received approximately 100 complaints regarding difficulties in accessing the 2024 salary bonus. Many of these complaints also highlight the failure to open applications for the 2025 incentive scheme, prompting concerns over the administration of these government support programs.

The Lisbon City Council has unanimously approved the construction of a new three-story municipal building near the Jardim da Estrela. The project will provide 11 housing units, including studios and two-bedroom apartments, with construction expected to span 515 days.

The government has published new rules allowing organ and tissue retrieval from intensive-care patients who die following controlled cardiorespiratory arrest. This practice, known as 'controlled donation after circulatory death', aims to increase the availability of organs for transplant and will be piloted in several major hospitals, including those in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra. The measure is set to take effect in 30 days.

During a state visit to Cape Verde, the President of the Republic, António José Seguro, announced a 100 million euro credit line to support Portuguese companies investing in the archipelago. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, with a specific focus on innovation, the blue economy, and new business projects.

The Portuguese government is moving forward with the 3.9 billion euro acquisition of three FREMM EVO frigates from the Italian company Fincantieri. While officials anticipate a significant return for the national economy, representatives from the domestic defence industry have expressed uncertainty regarding the extent of local participation in the project.