President of the Republic António José Seguro has promulgated the new organic law for the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), granting the institute special public status. While the government claims this will provide greater flexibility, the emergency technicians' union has requested a parliamentary review, warning that the changes could compromise service quality.
President promulgates new organizational law for INEM
Tuesday, 7 July 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.
Minimum services (serviços mínimos) are the legally required basic services that must be maintained during a strike to protect public safety—in healthcare this typically covers emergency care, critical ambulance coverage and intensive care. They matter because the INEM workers' committee admitted that late or unclear communication about which teams would be available during the end-of-2024 strike may have reduced operational capacity and confused patients; as an expat, expect limited non-urgent care during strikes and check official updates or call 112 for true emergencies.
6 sources
- Seguro promulgates four government decrees, including the new organizational structure for INEMeco.sapo.pt ·
- Seguro promulgates INEM organic law. Union asks parties to block it in Parliamentpublico.pt ·
- New organic law for INEM promulgated by Seguroobservador.pt ·
- Seguro promulgates new INEM organic law and three other Government decreesdn.pt ·
- President of the Republic promulgates four government decrees including the new organizational structure for INEMrtp.pt ·
- The boomerang of Justicecmjornal.pt ·
