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.
Parliament approves new criminal policy and asset forfeiture laws
Friday, 12 June 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is Portugal's unicameral parliament, located in the Palácio de São Bento in Lisbon. It consists of 230 deputies elected by proportional representation for four-year terms.
The Assembly's powers include making and amending laws, approving the state budget, ratifying international treaties, and overseeing the government through debates, hearings, and committees. It can also pass votes of no confidence to bring down a government, as happened in March 2025.
Following the May 2025 elections, the current parliamentary composition is led by the Democratic Alliance (AD) with the largest share of seats, followed by Chega, PS, and smaller parties including the Liberal Initiative, Left Bloc, Livre, and PCP.
6 sources
- Parliament approves asset forfeiture even without convictionrtp.pt ·
- Parliament approves use of inmates for forest clearing and expands police stop-and-search powersexpresso.pt ·
- It is official: inmates will now clear brush to prevent wildfirescnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- Parliament approves Criminal Policy Law that provides for inmates to clear brusheco.sapo.pt ·
- Prison labour in forests approvedobservador.pt ·
- Parliament gives green light to forest clearing by inmates and police stop-and-searches in high-risk areasdn.pt ·
