Parliament has authorized the government to create the Single Social Benefit (Prestação Social Única or PSU), a measure designed to consolidate 13 different non-contributory support schemes. The bill passed following an agreement between the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), with the latter abstaining during the final vote.
Parliament approves new Single Social Benefit
Thursday, 25 June 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Social Democratic Party ('Partido Social Democrata' or 'PSD') is a liberal-conservative political party in Portugal that is the leading partner of the The Democratic Alliance (AD) which is the country's ruling party, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The Social Democratic Party, despite its name, occupies the centre-right of Portugal's political spectrum. Luís Montenegro, who became Prime Minister in April 2024, leads Portugal's current minority government. The PSD has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. Montenegro, a former party leader from 1996-1999, was elected with the highest approval rating among party leaders at 10.7 points out of 20.
The Democratic Alliance is a centre-right coalition that includes the smaller CDS – People's Party, a Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner. Together, they govern without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation.
Health cards are private membership or discount schemes sold by companies that offer access to consultations, tests or reduced fees at private clinics; they are not the public health service. The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has proposed regulation to increase transparency and protect consumers from misleading marketing or unexpected charges.
6 sources
- Single Social Benefit. PS guarantees oversight and warns that the amount was not part of the agreement with the PSD: "There was no conversation whatsoever"rtp.pt ·
- New Single Social Benefit approved with PS abstentioneco.sapo.pt ·
- It is official: PSU approved following PS abstentioncnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- Parliament approves creation of the Single Social Benefit in final global votecmjornal.pt ·
- Single Social Benefit advances in parliament with PS abstention and criticism from Chegadn.pt ·
- Behind the scenes: How PSD and PS closed the PSU without Chegaobservador.pt ·
