The government and unions representing workers at Museums and Monuments of Portugal (Museus e Monumentos de Portugal or MMP) have signed an agreement to increase compensation for holiday work. Staff will now receive a fixed supplement of 60 euros for working on public holidays. This deal aims to address long-standing concerns regarding compensation for availability during these periods.

The president of the National Institute for Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM), Luís Mendes Cabral, stated that the institute owes approximately 9.7 million euros to firefighters for February patient transport. This figure is less than half of the amount claimed by the Portuguese Firefighters League (Liga dos Bombeiros Portugueses or LBP).

The National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses or ANMP) has rejected claims by Minister of Territorial Cohesion Manuel Castro Almeida, who blamed local councils for delays in housing reconstruction support. Mayors from heavily affected areas like Leiria and Alcácer do Sal argue the government has not yet provided the necessary funds for distribution. Residents awaiting storm repair subsidies should note that the dispute centers on whether local or central authorities are responsible for the slow validation of applications.

The Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, told Parliament the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) had a negative balance of €1.035 billion and a debt to external suppliers of €1.51 billion, while waiting lists and numbers without a family doctor have risen. The report says more consultations and surgeries are being done but financial and staffing pressures persist, with particular strain in some specialties and emergency care. Residents relying on public care should expect continued delays as authorities address funding and staffing gaps.

Diário de Notícias reports the European Parliament approved a report on the EU Strategy for Combating Poverty by a large majority; Portuguese MEPs from Liberal Initiative abstained while those from Chega voted against. The vote is framed as a political signal pushing poverty reduction higher on the EU agenda and framing priorities for future EU action. Social-policy NGOs, municipalities and residents affected by poverty should watch for funding or programme changes linked to the EU strategy. Those following Portuguese politics may note the party-line divisions in the vote.

Update: European Parliament approves anti-poverty report

Diário de Notícias notes the broadly supported vote sets political priorities for upcoming EU action and may influence funding and programme decisions at national and local level; opposition from Chega and abstentions from Liberal Initiative highlight domestic party splits.