President of the Republic António José Seguro stated during his official visit to Madrid that Portugal must improve career progression and salary conditions to become an extraordinary country to work in. While acknowledging Portugal is an excellent place to live, he urged young expatriates to remain engaged with the country's economic development. He also signaled that the government needs to address these labour issues to retain young talent.
President Seguro calls for better working conditions in Portugal
Sunday, 19 April 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
- President of Portugal (since March 9, 2026)
- Party: Independent. Former leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Partido Socialista
- Center-left
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.
Career: 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 a 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 and won the presidency in February 2026.
Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.
11 sources
- Seguro asks young people in Madrid not to “give up” on Portugal and wants “improvements” in salaries - RenascençaRenascença ·
- Seguro: “Improvements” are needed in labour in PortugalObservador ·
- President of the Republic states in Madrid that Portugal needs "some improvements" to be an "extraordinary country to work in"Correio da Manhã ·
- "Portugal needs some improvements to be an extraordinary country to work in," says Seguro in MadridDiário de Notícias ·
- Portugal is 'extraordinary to live in', but needs improvements to work and retain young people - MVNUMVNU ·
- Seguro says Portugal needs "some improvements" to be an "extraordinary country to work in"Público ·
- Seguro asks a young person if there is "really a substantial difference" in salaries between Portugal and Spain. The answer: "Very significant"CNN Portugal ·
- Portugal needs "some improvements" to be an "extraordinary country to work in"ECO ·
- Seguro in Madrid: "Portugal needs improvements to be an extraordinary country to work in"RTP Notícias ·
- Seguro in Madrid: "Portugal needs improvements to be an extraordinary country to work in" - RTPRTP ·
- Careers and salaries. The topics at the start of Seguro's visit to SpainRTP Notícias ·
