Setúbal

The Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda or BE) has proposed a 'Caixa brake' to force the state-owned bank Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) to freeze mortgage interest rate hikes for 12 months. During the party's political season opening, coordinator José Manuel Pureza also called for doubling the Additional Municipal Property Tax (Adicional ao Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis or AIMI), often referred to as the 'Mortágua tax', to bolster Social Security funding.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional or TC) has ruled that the government's new bill regarding asylum, detention, and the return of foreign nationals is constitutional. While the Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda or BE) described the ruling as an important setback, the party confirmed it will continue its political opposition to the legislation.

Hundreds of people marched in Setúbal this Sunday to protest against the alleged privatisation of five beaches and natural areas within the Arrábida Natural Park. The demonstration, organized by the 'Hands off Arrábida' (Deslarrrguem a Arrábida!) movement, aimed to defend public access to coastal areas currently involved in legal disputes with the Herdade da Comenda estate. The Ministry of the Environment reiterated that these beaches remain part of the public maritime domain.

The Portuguese government is considering extending the current state of alert (situação de alerta) into next week as temperatures are forecast to reach 47°C. While the fire in Vouzela remains a major concern, authorities have requested international assistance to bolster firefighting efforts across the country.

Update: Vouzela fire contained as heatwave continues

The fire in Vouzela is now considered contained after burning over 12,000 hectares, though authorities report frequent reignitions. Over 1,200 firefighters, supported by international teams from Spain, remain on the ground as several districts remain under a red weather warning.

The National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) arrested four men and seized approximately four tonnes of hashish along with two vessels during an operation near Setúbal. The Coastal and Border Control Unit (Unidade de Controlo Costeiro e de Fronteiras or UCCF) conducted the operation after monitoring the high-speed vessels at sea.

The government is evaluating the integration of the Setúbal-Troia river transport connection into the Navegante fare system. Officials stated the move aims to improve accessibility, pricing, and the overall sustainability of the public service. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing is currently analyzing recommendations from the Mobility and Transport Authority (Autoridade da Mobilidade e dos Transportes or AMT).

Dozens of citizens gathered in Setúbal for a public forum organized by the Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Português or PCP) to demand more doctors and improved services within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). Participants criticized the current state of digital infrastructure, noting that the SNS24 app often acts as a barrier to care rather than a solution. The PCP accused the government of neglecting public health facilities while failing to address the shortage of family doctors.

A new regional gynaecology and obstetrics emergency department has opened on the Setúbal Peninsula, operating across the Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada and the São Bernardo Hospital in Setúbal. The reorganization follows the permanent closure of the emergency service in Barreiro, a move that faced significant opposition from local mayors and patient organizations. The new department continues to rely on temporary doctors (médicos tarefeiros) to maintain service coverage.

José Luís Carneiro has been re-elected as leader of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) after running as the sole candidate in the party's direct elections. He secured over 20,000 votes and stated that the result qualifies him to be a future candidate for Prime Minister. Residents should note that Carneiro identified supporting youth who are neither working nor studying as a top priority for his new mandate.

A fire in an apartment building garage in Setúbal has left 30 residents displaced (desalojados) after the structure lost electricity and water services. The blaze destroyed one vehicle and damaged three others, with the resulting smoke causing significant damage to the building's infrastructure. Setúbal residents should note that the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária) are currently investigating the cause of the fire to determine if it was intentional.