The government's proposed labour package, submitted to the Assembly of the Republic by Minister Maria do Rosário da Palma Ramalho, is facing significant criticism for its perceived lack of dialogue with unions and the digital sector. Chega leader André Ventura has expressed openness to negotiation but threatened to vote against the proposal in the upcoming general debate.
Government faces opposition over new labour package proposal
Wednesday, 10 June 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
- Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (2024–present)
- Party: Independent (appointed by AD government)
- Background: Professor of Labour Law, University of Lisbon
Rosário Maria Ribeiro da Costa Palma Ramalho is a distinguished labor law academic who was appointed Minister of Labour in the XXV Constitutional Government under Luís Montenegro. She is one of Portugal's leading experts on employment law, having authored major textbooks and legal commentaries on the Portuguese Labour Code.
As minister, she leads negotiations with trade unions (CGTP, UGT) and employer confederations on labor reform, including changes to dismissal rules, working time flexibility, and collective bargaining. Her academic background gives her unusual technical authority in a portfolio that is typically politically charged.
André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.
His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.
