Legal: Politics news in Portugal

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

Chega to proceed with Commission of Inquiry into 'Operation Influencer', with or without the support of other parties

"José Sócrates does not want the trial to move forward." Therefore, "he must be censured"

Parliamentary inquiry into Luís Neves will not hear Marcelo, but approves hearings for Costa, Montenegro and Ventura

The parliamentary commission of inquiry into Luís Neves’s tenure at the Judiciary Police rejected the hearing of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, but approved those of Luís Montenegro and André Ventura, who admitted he may consider stepping down as chair of the commission. The parliamentary inquiry (CPI) held a session to vote individually on dozens of proposed witnesses, as there was no consensus on their relevance to the scope of the investigation. The proposal to hear former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was rejected with votes against from the PS and PSD. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and former Prime Minister António Costa will provide written statements. André Ventura’s testimony was approved following questions regarding his claims about missing documents at his party's office. Ventura stated he would evaluate his position as chair of the CPI at the time of his testimony. Other requested hearings, including those for journalists and Judge Carlos Alexandre, were rejected, while others like former secretary-general Ricardo Carrilho and whistleblower Rui Pinto were approved.

Police baton charges = The return of fascism

I fear that police baton charges only lead to fascism when the right is in power. Perhaps some people enjoy this. It depresses me and compels me to write texts like these. Opinion piece by João Miguel Tavares

“It is not good to go a week without speaking”: Camilo Lourenço on Montenegro's silence following PSP action against protesters

CMTV commentator analyzes Luís Montenegro's lack of statements regarding the police intervention during protests in Porto and Lisbon, noting that this absence “denotes a certain lack of leadership.”

PSP declares young man suspect for allegedly inciting attack on Montenegro's home

Police stated that the case concerns the crime of public incitement to commit an offence.

The normal functioning of democracy is at stake

Luís Neves was already a wreck, but a wreck with the power to send riot police into the streets could bring down the regime. The regular functioning of democratic institutions is at stake. Column by Ana Sá Lopes

“His silence at this moment does not calm the violence”: public figures write letter demanding action from Seguro

This is one of the reactions to the police charge that took place early this morning.

The demonstration was absolutely cross-cutting. I saw street thugs and posh kids, young and old, the poor and people well-off in life.

CNN Portugal commentator Filipe Santos Costa criticised the Minister of Internal Administration, stating that his priority is 'his political survival', and rejects the idea that there was 'chaos and unrest' in Rossio before the police intervention.

Jose Manuel Pureza: "This Government is a disgrace to democracy"

Jose Manuel Pureza, coordinator of the Left Bloc, spoke on Sunday, October 25, at the European Left Alliance conference. After expressing solidarity with those who were “persecuted, assaulted, and pushed,” he accused Luis Montenegro of being responsible for the protests and the use of force. “Luis Montenegro responded to democratic and peaceful force with police violence, beating, chasing, and pushing. It is in conflict with the Constitution; this Government is a disgrace to democracy. It does not represent the Portuguese people,” the party leader declared in Lisbon. Emphasizing that the left “chooses the right side, the youth, the elderly,” he guarantees that they will not “deviate a millimeter from the fight for housing until the law approved by the Government, Chega, and IL is defeated.” “What unites Montenegro, Mariana Leitao, and Andre Ventura is liberal fanaticism. That a speculator's profit is worth more than having a roof. Montenegro and his right-wing friends work for those who profit from the housing crisis,” Pureza points out, noting that “the cries from the street are already defeating the Government and the eviction law,” demanding that it “be put away and withdrawn immediately.” The Left Bloc coordinator reiterates that “the struggles show that there is the same soul from the past” and sees “a community spirit in the mobilizations in Rome, Brussels, Tirana, Madrid, Paris, Lisbon, and Porto.” In addition to asking the Prime Minister for explanations, he extended the demand to other officials. “The entire democracy must speak out. Unions, parties, the President of the Republic,” he concluded. It should be noted that Fabian Figueiredo, a Left Bloc MP, was one of the participants in the demonstration in Lisbon and attempted to dissuade the police force from charging at the crowd.

Alexandra Leitão accuses Government of putting "democracy at risk": "The President must speak"

The former Socialist minister considers it was the Government that “ordered the police to charge against peaceful protesters”

Ventura "absolutely available" to be heard by the parliamentary commission of inquiry

The president of Chega states he is “absolutely available” to be heard by the inquiry, but warns that being a witness and being the president of the inquiry commission “are not compatible roles”.

Ministry of Internal Administration: Chega wants to hear from António Costa and over 50 other people

The list includes former prime ministers, ministers, judges, journalists, and business owners. André Ventura chairs the committee, which meets on Monday and Tuesday.

Marquês. Sócrates asks court to clarify contradictions regarding Parque Escolar

The former prime minister José Sócrates requested this Friday that the court presiding over his trial clarify possible contradictions between the dismissal of the Parque Escolar case and the charges in the Operação Marquês process. “I request that this court consider the dismissal order regarding Parque Escolar and determine the clarification of any contradictions with the...”

Operação Marquês: Sócrates asks the court to clarify contradictions regarding Parque Escolar

Former Prime Minister José Sócrates has requested that the court trying him resolve potential contradictions between the archiving of the Parque Escolar case and the indictment in the Operação Marquês process. Sócrates argues that the Public Prosecutor's recent decision to archive the 2012 investigation into the public company Parque Escolar invalidates claims used against him in the current trial. The former Socialist leader, who faces 22 charges including corruption, asserts that allegations regarding his involvement with the Lena group and Parque Escolar were unfounded and damaging to his reputation. The judge in the case, Susana Seca, previously noted that the prosecution had not presented specific facts regarding Parque Escolar.

Weather vanes, insincerity, and a risky brew

An analysis of the political landscape in Portugal, critiquing Passos Coelho's shifting political alliances, Minister Nuno Melo's divisive rhetoric regarding immigration and housing protests, and the broader European crisis of rising living costs and the erosion of the intergenerational social contract.

Aguiar-Branco considers it urgent to clarify the alleged break-in at Ventura's office

“The subject is very serious, and it is important even for the perception that citizens have of the Parliament institution,” stated the President of the Assembly of the Republic.

Intercampus barometer: Majority says Marcelo had an influence on the case of the Luso-Brazilian twins

Respondents say that the Supreme Court of Justice should not have stopped the investigation into the former President of the Republic's intervention in the case.

Luís Newton and Vasco Morgado to stand trial in the Tutti Frutti case

Of the 59 defendants charged by the Public Prosecutor's Office, only three will not proceed to trial: Ângelo Pereira, former PSD councillor for the Lisbon City Council, Inês Drummond, former PS councillor for the Lisbon municipality, and Ivone Gonçalves, a PSD militant from Loures.

Operação Marquês: José Sócrates says new trial is "the same absurdity"

Former Prime Minister José Sócrates has labelled the money laundering trial beginning this Monday in Lisbon as “absurd,” noting it stems from the 2021 instructional decision of the Operação Marquês case. The charges involve the alleged use of bank accounts belonging to businessman Carlos Santos Silva, his wife, and Sócrates' chauffeur between 2011 and 2014 to funnel illicit funds to the former Prime Minister. Prosecutors claim Santos Silva acted as a straw man to conceal bribes intended to benefit the Lena Group, the Espírito Santo Group, and the Vale do Lobo luxury development. Sócrates argues that the court is initiating a redundant trial on facts already under discussion in the main Operação Marquês case, which has been ongoing since July 2025. He contends that being forced to defend himself simultaneously in two different courts against overlapping factual matters is a breach of due process and a personal burden. Both Sócrates and Santos Silva, who deny the allegations, will be judged by a collective of three judges until at least April 2027.

The loyalties of the sect

Now that the Neves debacle is hitting the socialist family, principles and criteria are all being revised, without prudence or modesty.

7 a.m. Porto. Organisation calls off protest due to insecurity

In Porto, protesters left the square at 2 a.m. following reports of individuals infiltrated with knives. Furthermore, Rui Rio advocates for PSD reaching agreements with the centre rather than the right.

3h. Passos Coelho does not want to challenge Luís Montenegro within the PSD

Observador understands that the former prime minister does not intend to take on government roles without being directly elected by voters. Furthermore, the night of protests in Porto ended abruptly.

The hired hand of ‘la famiglia’

Pinho was a corrupt minister at the service of the Espírito Santo family.

The day Ventura 'formed a coalition' with Luís Neves

An analysis of the political interaction between Ventura and Luís Neves.

Pedro Duarte, the implacable

There is no memory in Porto of such a disproportionate police charge. The PSP acted because Pedro Moura wanted it that way and because Pedro Duarte had promised to be implacable a few hours earlier. Opinion by Amílcar Correia

ERC opens proceedings regarding the invasion by the Chega group at Rádio Universidade de Coimbra

The president of the AAC considered that the Assembly of the Republic should also analyse the sanction framework in light of the behaviour of the two deputies.