Negotiations for the labour law (lei laboral) revision resume today between the government, employer confederations, and the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT). Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that over 70 norms have been agreed upon, though key disagreements remain over the individual bank of hours (banco de horas) and rules regarding unlawful dismissal. Workers should note that the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) plans to attend despite not being officially invited.

The Portuguese government is proposing legislative changes to allow individual heirs to force the sale of inherited properties, a move intended to increase housing supply but which has sparked significant public and legal debate.

The President of the Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas) has called for a rigorous debate over government plans to reform the institution. A major point of contention is the proposed end of prior approval (visto prévio) for certain public contracts, which critics say is essential for financial sustainability. Former officials warn that weakening the court's oversight could undermine the state's ability to analyze complex private-sector contracts. Residents should note that these changes aim to speed up public procurement but face significant institutional pushback.

The government has approved new regulations to resolve undivided inheritances, aiming to boost housing supply and enhance fire prevention efforts.

The government is set to approve changes to tenancy laws (Lei do Arrendamento) this Thursday to expedite judicial decisions for non-payment of rent. The measures, led by Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz, aim to restore landlord confidence and bring thousands of vacant properties back to the market. Tenants should note that while the reform targets persistent non-payment, the government has stated it will include protections for vulnerable residents.

Update: New rules for undivided inheritances and evictions

The Council of Ministers (Conselho de Ministros) has approved three bills to resolve impasses in undivided inheritances (heranças indivisas) and speed up evictions for rent arrears. Minister of the Presidency (Ministro da Presidência) António Leitão Amaro explained that after two years of an inheritance being accepted, a single heir can now initiate a property sale to prevent one person from blocking the process. The government will consult Parliament next week, aiming to finalize the laws by the end of the month.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro faces criticism over his labour reform agenda, with commentators suggesting the government is distancing itself from a potentially failing policy while Montenegro defends his commitment to action-oriented reform.

The last meeting ended without an agreement and with mutual accusations of intransigence.

Update: Government schedules fresh labour law talks for Monday

Minister of Labour Rosário Palma Ramalho has summoned the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) and business leaders to a meeting on Monday, March 16. The government aims to exhaust all possibilities for an agreement rather than prolonging the discussion indefinitely.

President António José Seguro and Parliament President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco have urged the government and social partners to resume negotiations on the new labour law (legislação laboral). While employer confederations recently stated conditions for an agreement were lacking, the government and some unions have expressed openness to further talks. The proposed reforms, known as the Trabalho XXI draft bill, have faced significant hurdles over issues like outsourcing and the right to disconnect. Workers should note that Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) leader José Luís Carneiro has criticized the current proposals as a “choice for inhumanity.”

Update: Business groups and UGT agree to resume labour talks

President Seguro has successfully revived negotiations after business confederations previously declared them over. The Confederation of Tourism (Confederação do Turismo de Portugal or CTP) and the Confederation of Commerce and Services (Confederação do Comércio e Serviços de Portugal or CCP) confirmed their availability to return to the table. The General Union of Workers (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) also clarified it never intended to leave the discussions.

The new President took office in Belém, emphasizing the need for national stability while highlighting critical challenges including an ageing population, healthcare and housing deficits, and a slow judicial system.

João Massano of the Bar Association proposes the creation of a specialized court to handle the backlog of approximately 200,000 immigration cases currently pending against AIMA in administrative courts.

Negotiations for a new labour reform package ended without an agreement between the government, the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT), and employer confederations. The Business Confederation of Portugal (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal or CIP) stated that 12 points remain unresolved after seven months of debate, including last-minute demands that hindered a consensus. While the government blamed the UGT for being “intransigent,” the union argued the proposals were structurally inadequate and failed to meet necessary conditions. Workers should note that current labour laws remain in place as the future of the reform package is now uncertain.

Update: Opposition leader criticizes government's "lack of humility"

The Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), José Luís Carneiro, accused the government of a “lack of democratic humility” following the collapse of labor negotiations. Carneiro argued that the failure to reach an agreement with social partners harms the country's competitiveness and urged Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to resume dialogue on more acceptable terms.

The PSD party is seeking to amend the legal framework for gender and name changes in the civil registry by reintroducing medical validation, a move that faces internal opposition, particularly from MP Bruno Vitorino who has called for the bill's withdrawal.

The process of allocating pensions that combine contributions from Social Security and the Caixa Geral de Aposentações (CGA) is currently complex and takes an average of seven months. The president of the Social Security Information Institute has indicated that improvements are expected by the end of June.

The proposed reform of the Code of Criminal Procedure threatens to impose financial penalties on lawyers for actions deemed 'manifestly unfounded' by judges, creating a two-tier criminal justice system that disproportionately impacts less affluent citizens. With fines ranging from €204 to €10,200, and potential disciplinary actions for repeat offenses, this legislation undermines legal certainty and fairness, ultimately jeopardizing the right to a fair trial.

Filipa Urbano Calvão from the Court of Auditors expresses a favorable stance towards reviewing the law regarding prior approval for contracts exceeding five million euros. The court opposes the immediate elimination of this requirement, countering government claims that it engages in political decision-making. The president of the Court of Auditors argues that the ongoing discussions about reforming prior approval are misguided.

The Government has actively engaged in revising labour law, presenting a draft bill on 24 July and reconvening the Permanent Commission for Social Dialogue in September. Following several meetings with business confederations and the UGT, a significant meeting is scheduled for 3 March to further discuss the labour law reform, indicating ongoing negotiations and collaboration among stakeholders.

The return of former Prime Minister Passos Coelho to the political scene has generated significant excitement. Coelho has openly criticized his successor, Luís Montenegro, for failing to form a legislative agreement with Chega and IL, despite having a parliamentary majority. He suggests that an alliance with Chega could benefit the PSD, despite the party's historical stance against racist rhetoric. Coelho also questions Montenegro's commitment to reforms, highlighting his own past austerity measures that cut pensions and social support. His shifting positions raise concerns about his integrity and the authenticity of his reformist agenda.

Former Prime Minister Passos Coelho advocates for a new immigration model that emphasizes integration and aims to prevent social instability. He reflects on past policies and suggests reforms to create a more effective approach to immigration.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Lisbon and Porto to protest against the government's proposed changes to the labour law, known as the 'Work XXI' reform. Led by the CGTP union, the protests highlighted concerns that the reforms would negatively impact workers' rights. CGTP's Secretary-General, Tiago Oliveira, called for the government to withdraw the labour package, emphasizing its detrimental effects on the workforce.

The article discusses the detrimental impact of bureaucratic delays and obstacles on economic activity, highlighting findings from a recent INE survey. It identifies the judicial system, licensing, and taxation as the primary barriers to business development, exacerbated by ineffective public policies. The author calls for legislative reforms to address these issues, particularly in the judicial and licensing sectors, to facilitate investment and growth in the economy.

Luís Neves has been appointed as the Minister of Internal Administration, succeeding Luís Montenegro. With a background as the National Director of the Judiciary Police, Neves faces significant challenges, including improving police working conditions, reforming the Civil Protection system, and managing border control amid corruption investigations. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, aiming to shift away from the security rhetoric associated with Chega, particularly on immigration. Neves is expected to bring his operational expertise to the ministry, focusing on effective communication and collaboration among various agencies. However, he faces high expectations that may prove challenging to meet in a role marked by political tensions and public scrutiny.

A lawsuit is set to be filed against Portugal in the European Court of Human Rights due to complaints from immigrants regarding the state's failure to comply with its own laws. Brazilian activist Amanda Abreu has gathered over two hundred testimonies highlighting issues such as obstruction of justice and xenophobia, which have severely impacted immigrants' access to documentation, family reunifications, and essential services. The legal action aims to compel Portugal to adhere to its constitutional laws rather than to punish the state. The testimonies will also contribute to a scientific article and a report for the European political party Volt, focusing on legislative review in the European Parliament.

The government is proposing legislative changes to enhance the role of victim and witness testimonies in domestic violence cases, aiming to improve the effectiveness of criminal responses and reduce case dismissals. Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice emphasizes the importance of these reforms, which include standardizing the collection of statements for future reference, particularly for vulnerable victims like children. Even if victims do not testify at trial, their prior statements will be treated as valid evidence. The proposal follows a report from the Superior Council of the Judiciary and has garnered support from the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), which advocates for improved victim rights and a gender perspective in judicial decisions. The government claims it has the necessary resources to implement these changes and is working to expand support networks for victims of violence.

In his analysis, Carlos Rodrigues argues that the public's fatigue is not with the electoral process itself, but rather with the persistent issues that remain unresolved despite repeated elections. He emphasizes the need for effective policies that address the economic and social challenges faced by citizens, suggesting that voters are seeking real solutions rather than just political rhetoric.

Moedas has secured an absolute majority with former Chega members, raising questions about the implications for Lisbon's political landscape and whether this shift marks the end of certain political red lines.

The Government plans to submit a proposal for revising the labour law to Parliament despite lacking an agreement in the Social Concertation. This move raises questions about whether Chega will play a crucial role in facilitating the reform of the Labour Code, as the Government seeks support from opposition parties without an absolute majority.

The ultranationalist Chega party is gaining traction in Portugal by focusing on issues that were overlooked by the former prime minister and current president of the European Council, António Costa. Their campaign strategy highlights dissatisfaction with existing policies and aims to attract voters who feel unrepresented.

Carlos Rodrigues argues that postponing elections without a legal framework could create dangerous precedents for governance and democracy. He emphasizes the importance of adhering to established laws and policies to maintain the integrity of electoral processes.

Ventura presents a manifesto that tackles the challenges encountered by individuals who identify as more or less openly in society, focusing on legal rights, healthcare reform, and policy changes.