Latest news and stories about accountability in Portugal for expats and residents.
Families of the 16 victims who died in the 2025 Glória Funicular derailment have inaugurated a memorial in Lisbon while expressing frustration over a lack of accountability and support. Victims stated in an open letter that they feel overlooked by the Lisbon City Council, which claims it did not have access to the families' contact details to provide promised assistance.
The General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) has launched an inquiry into police actions that occurred in Lisbon and Porto.
At the swearing-in ceremony of the new secretary-general, who said he does not have a “narcissistic or personal” agenda, the minister refused to answer journalists' questions regarding the police crackdown in Porto, stating only that the PSP's actions were “legitimate”, although he regretted that there were injuries.
The article criticises Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas for contradicting his own statements regarding his communication with the families of victims of the Glória Elevator tragedy. While Moedas claimed during his re-election campaign that he had personally contacted all the victims' families, a year later, the families released an open letter stating they had been neglected. Moedas subsequently claimed that legal restrictions prevented him from being the direct point of contact. The author argues that Moedas's lack of accountability and the media's failure to scrutinise his shifting narratives undermine the ethical standards expected of a public official.
Some of the victims of the Glória funicular are still waiting for answers, support, and accountability.
Regarding the announced memorial in honour of the victims, opposition councillors say they have no information.
Carris, the company that operated the Glória Funicular, has not yet initiated any disciplinary proceedings following the accident on 3 September 2025. Some disciplinary infractions may expire.
In December 2024, the Judicial Police (PJ) dismantled a drug laboratory during Operation Pacoba, seizing a trailer containing 62 drums of solvents used in drug production. Despite a public prosecutor's order for the material's destruction, the order was never carried out. The trailer was initially stored at Navy facilities, but after the Navy requested its removal in August 2025 due to security concerns, the PJ—with the approval of then-national director Luís Neves—transferred it to a private company, Construbarcelos. The material was left outdoors without proper security until the PJ recently returned to recover it. Although Neves claims a lack of funds, the PJ had previously awarded 1.45 million euros in contracts to the same company under special security exemptions. The article argues that Neves's management of this situation demonstrates a lack of accountability and professional zeal, questioning his suitability for his current role as Minister of Internal Administration.
The justification for what happened to the trailer is a portrait of the State: there was no money and everything takes a long time. It saved us money, but ended up in the hands of those who have business with the State. Perhaps Neves has 'always been on the side of good', but we know where that argument leads when it is used as a safe conduct to ignore rules. Because when power marries informality, it generates arbitrariness. At a higher standard of accountability, he might have had to resign. When the benchmark is Montenegro, it would not make sense.
Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves has broken his silence regarding recent controversies involving his time as head of the Judiciary Police. While admitting to administrative shortcomings, he denied any criminal wrongdoing. The article highlights concerns over his informal, poorly documented management style, specifically regarding the handling of seized ammonia and the awarding of contracts to a personal friend. It argues that operational efficiency does not excuse the failure to follow formal procedures, especially for high-ranking public officials, and calls for greater transparency and accountability.
The Minister of Internal Administration admits he authorised the transfer of the trailer to Barcelos at the suggestion of the PJ's financial director. He will request a meeting with the Odemira City Council to regularise the situation regarding the swimming pool at his home.
He did not consider resigning. The Minister of Internal Administration explained the controversies surrounding him. He assures that today he would again authorize the transport of the trailer to the contractor's company who did his renovation work because the State saved money. However, he admits he would not hire the builder who worked for the PJ again.
The Minister of Internal Administration is expected to break his silence regarding the controversy surrounding him this afternoon by providing clarifications to the press. Luís Rosa, a commentator for CNN Portugal, admits, however, that the case may not be closed just yet, as “new doubts and new needs to scrutinise other matters may arise.”
When we stop asking questions of those who hold power, we also stop fulfilling one of the most elementary principles of democracy.
The PCP does not oppose a parliamentary hearing and demands access to a report on Viegas Nunes' first term, after alleged “serious irregularities” became public. The minister denies any “illegalities”.
Top German lawmaker Angelika Niebler’s case fuels ongoing row between Parliament and prosecutors.
A Court of Auditors audit focused on 571 management positions between 2018 and 2025 across a sample of 16 municipalities.
With the causes of the energy collapse now known, the white smoke confirming the identification of the culprit or culprits for the worst accident of its kind to occur on the European continent is slow to appear.
The President of the Court of Auditors also states that it constitutes an 'invitation to relaxation' for managers.
It is naturally an irony in the form of a question. But I confess that I have not seen, read, or heard any politician—from the usual ones who comment on everything to the more reserved ones in their use of the public media space, with the natural exception of the leader of Chega, André Ventura—speak out about what happened in recent days at the Albufeira City Council. And that is as dangerous, if not more so, than what a public prosecutor did.
Isaltino Morais shares lunches paid for with taxpayer money on social media — is he surprised by the accusation? And the 'measured' Bank of Portugal, one of the novelties from Álvaro Santos Pereira.
Alexandra Leitão says that Moedas should assume political responsibility and accuses him of having “double standards”.
We are living through a difficult moment as a collective. Not everything we see, hear, or read is true, and not all reprehensible acts are sanctioned. Between perceptions, virtual reality, and deceptive narratives, we need greater lucidity. There is a growing voyeurism regarding public figures, but we must not confuse gossip with transparency, nor demand transparency in matters that do not concern the public interest. The author discusses three recent issues: the investigation into PSP officers at the Rato police station for crimes against vulnerable people, the lack of accountability in the Epstein case, and the importance of public examples of integrity in democracy, contrasting the President's decision to waive his subsidy with the privileged pension of the former Governor of the Bank of Portugal.
The same conduct will be followed regarding all officeholders who are in an analogous situation, the entity stated.
The article reports that five Portuguese ministers are required to disclose their client lists from their associated companies, reflecting increased transparency measures in Portugal's political landscape. This move aims to enhance accountability and prevent conflicts of interest among government officials.
This article reports on the arrest of seven Portuguese PSP agents suspected of serious crimes, including torture, abuse of power, and illegal detention, linked to incidents at the Rato police station in Lisbon. The suspects are in preventive detention while investigations continue, which have also implicated two other officers previously detained. The case has raised concerns about police misconduct, with allegations of violence against vulnerable populations and sharing of incriminating material among officers. The Minister of Internal Administration emphasized that most PSP officers serve with integrity and that any misconduct will be thoroughly investigated, highlighting the importance of maintaining public trust and accountability within law enforcement.
In the 19:00 bulletin, a police association expressed visible discomfort regarding allegations that two PSP officers are charged with crimes of torture and rape, highlighting internal unease and concerns about accountability.
Eurico Brilhante Dias said it is important to establish who authorised classifying that trip as a state flight.
