Government policy news in Praia da Vitória, Azores, Portugal

Rangel admits revision of the Lajes agreement: “It is natural that there are many adjustments to be made”

The Minister guarantees that the use of Lajes remains subject to conditions previously established by Portugal, including the requirement that any action must be a response to an attack, respect the principles of necessity and proportionality, and not target civilians.

Rangel admits to reviewing the Lajes agreement following war in the Middle East

The Minister of Foreign Affairs guarantees that Portugal can say no to the United States regarding the use of the Lajes Base, but states he cannot provide concrete details as these are classified matters.

1h MFA: It is time to review the Lajes agreement with the USA, but first the conflict in the Middle East must end

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests that the Lajes Field agreement with the United States should be reassessed, contingent upon the resolution of the Middle East conflict.

Assembly of the Republic rejects PCP and BE parliamentary inquiries into the use of Lajes Field

João Almeida, of the CDS-PP, stated that the proposals from the PCP and BE are irresponsible and demand answers from the Government that have already been provided or concern decisions that the executive did not make.

Parties oppose inquiry into the use of Lajes

The appeals from the PCP and BE were not enough to find a majority capable of giving the green light to a parliamentary inquiry into the use of Lajes Air Base by the USA.

BE: Rangel fails to convince on Lajes

Pureza says the Minister of Foreign Affairs failed to explain the transit of lethal drones through the Azorean base. He also links the war in the Middle East to the cost of living in Portugal.

Left Bloc regrets PS rejection of inquiry into the use of Lajes: "PS position is wrong"

The PS insists that the Minister of Foreign Affairs must provide further explanations regarding the use of Lajes Air Base by US forces, but argues that, contrary to the views of the PCP and the Left Bloc, it does not make sense to proceed with a parliamentary committee of inquiry into the case.

Durão Barroso says that regarding Lajes Field, 'what Portugal is doing is what it has always done'

Former Prime Minister Durão Barroso argues that the current government is acting correctly regarding the use of Lajes Field by authorizing the transit of US military aircraft.

6h. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are meeting in China

Beijing reiterated its call for an immediate end to the conflict. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin took the opportunity to state that Russia remains a viable energy supplier.

Carneiro rejects inquiry commission on Lajes and accuses Rangel of nervousness

The PS leader rejected, in an interview with the Now station, supporting an inquiry commission on the Lajes Base, but wants explanations in parliament from the Minister of Foreign Affairs

3h. US Senate limits Trump's war powers in Iran

The launch of military operations against Iran is now dependent on parliamentary authorisation. Furthermore, the Secretary-General of the PS refuses to join the commission of inquiry into the use of Lajes Field.

Carneiro does not support inquiry commission on Lajes and accuses Rangel of nervousness

The PS leader rejected an inquiry commission today regarding the Lajes Field, but wants explanations in parliament from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, whom he accuses of nervousness, to clarify the statements made by the US Secretary of State.

Durão Barroso: Portugal stood by the US at Lajes and the opposition would have done the same if they were in government

Durão Barroso argues that Portugal did what it had to do by standing with the US and believes that if the opposition were in government, they would also defend the transatlantic relationship. In an interview with SIC/Expresso and Renascença in Strasbourg, he also warns that the agreement with the United States regarding Lajes is a “great agreement” and would not have been possible with the current Trump administration.

PCP pressures PS to approve inquiry into Lajes following socialist 'outrage'

The secretary-general of the PCP pressured the PS today to approve the communist proposal to create a commission of inquiry into the American use of the Lajes Base in the Azores, following socialist 'outrage' over the subject.

PCP pressures PS to approve inquiry into Lajes following socialist 'outrage'

At issue is a news report indicating that the PS is preparing to vote against the initiatives from the PCP and BE that seek a commission of inquiry into the US use of the Lajes Base.

Portugal Minister won’t be questioned about Lajes Base use

Rangel and the Lajes base in the middle of the 'uproar'

The minister is right when he denounces the PS's change of position regarding the granting of Lajes to the USA. But he still needs to provide some explanations. Editorial by Helena Pereira

PS opposes inquiry commission into the use of Lajes Field by the USA

Socialists will vote against the proposals from the PCP and the Left Bloc, stating that the priority is to hear from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel. He made himself available to attend the parliamentary committee next Wednesday; however, it will not be possible.

Lajes controversy 'will cause a stir, requires clarification, but is not serious for the Government'

CNN Portugal commentator Rui Calafate analyses the controversy surrounding the use of the Lajes Base by the USA, taking into account the willingness of Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to provide clarifications on the subject in the Assembly of the Republic.

Is Lajes Field being used as a political weapon?

The US gave public praise to Portugal, the PS took a tough stance, and it all ended with Rangel looking bad. And does the border control system show that we have too much tourism?

Chega calls for US accountability if Lajes usage was violated

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Portugal for accepting the United States' request to use Lajes Field in the conflict with Iran.

Lajes. Rangel says he is available to go to the Assembly of the Republic

Paulo Rangel stated that “there is no element of confidentiality” and that he is available to provide clarifications to Parliament in an “open-door session” regarding the use of Lajes.

IL rejects commission of inquiry into the use of Lajes

Mariana Leitão stated that the proposal from the BE and the PCP is an “anti-imperialist, anti-United States of America issue” and that what matters is to understand whether the existing agreement is being fulfilled or not.

12:00 PM Paulo Rangel reaffirms that the US only used Lajes Field with Portugal's authorisation

Paulo Rangel reiterates that the United States' use of the Lajes Air Base was strictly subject to Portuguese government approval.

Rangel available to appear before Parliament on Wednesday regarding US use of Lajes

At issue are the statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who mentioned that Portugal authorised the use of Lajes Air Base, on Terceira Island in the Azores, before any formal request had been made.