Government policy news in Leiria, Portugal

Seguro's first Open Presidency ends today

Mayors criticise minister for 'passing the buck' on delays in housing reconstruction support

The municipality of Leiria was completely destroyed, in a war-like scenario

Labour law: PCP speaks of a "charade" between Montenegro and Ventura

The PCP accused the PSD and Chega of preparing a “coup” to approve the labour package without a general vote. Paulo Raimundo insisted that the proposal does not serve workers, the youth, or the country.

Municipalities managing landscape operations to receive 30 million euros in the coming days

Twenty-two municipalities affected by bad weather that will manage integrated landscape management operations (OIGP) will receive 30 million euros in the coming days, announced the Secretary of State for Forests, Rui Ladeira, this Tuesday. “Of the 40 million euros in resources that we made available in the context of Storm Kristin...”

Raimundo accuses Chega of staging labour negotiations and warns that workers will not demobilise

The PCP secretary-general accused Chega today of staging a negotiation on the labour package and proposing “a hoax” regarding pensions, warning that even if the bill is passed, workers will not stop mobilising against the proposal.

PCP wants to accelerate response to storms

Paulo Raimundo announced the proposals during the parliamentary sessions in Marinha Grande, linking the lack of administrative regions to the slow response to severe weather.

PCP leader "furious" with delays in support for areas affected by storms: "They make me lose my temper"

On the day he joined the PCP parliamentary sessions in Leiria, the communist secretary-general, Paulo Raimundo, did not hesitate to point the finger at the Government for “failures” in responding to the populations and institutions affected by the severe storms that hit the centre of the country at the end of January.

Bad weather: Raimundo “furious” with Government for announcing support that does not arrive

During a visit to a parish in Leiria, the PCP secretary-general reiterates criticisms that the Government “promises a lot, announces a lot” but when it finds itself “in a tight spot, it pushes the responsibility onto the local authorities”.

"We don't even understand what the RRP is": Raimundo hears complaints and is "furious" at announcements of "millions and millions" that never arrive

The PCP secretary-general joined the parliamentary sessions to criticise the Government over “announcements of millions” that have “no correspondence with reality”. In Leiria, there are parishes that remain without the satellite phone with Starlink promised by the Prime Minister.

Paulo Raimundo says he is "furious" with the Government for announcing support that does not reach the areas affected by the storm

The PCP leader argued that, given the scale of the damage, the country needs a “robust intervention”, investment, and a different attitude from the Executive.

PCP says Government's "haste" justifies CGTP strike

Paula Santos and Alfredo Maia criticised the changes to the Labour Code during PCP events in Marinha Grande, with a debate scheduled for Thursday in Parliament.

PCP says 'Government's haste' to debate labour law proves strike was 'justified'

Paula Santos, parliamentary leader of the PCP, was speaking during a public session as part of the PCP's parliamentary days at the party's workplace centre in Marinha Grande.

PCP considers labour package 'non-negotiable': 'The only way out is the bin'

At a public session in Marinha Grande, the communists insisted on their criticism of the Government's proposal to amend the Labour Law. The PCP considers that the package imposes '19th-century working conditions' and is therefore 'non-negotiable'.

Pedrógão Grande: Victims' association calls for more prevention

Nine years after the fires that killed 66 people, the victims' association warns of trees still left fallen and appeals to the Government to give 'great importance' to prevention.

PCP registers a "feeling of abandonment" in the central region

Paula Santos considers the PRR a “hoax” and ensures there is a “generalised feeling of abandonment” regarding the recovery of houses. The Mission Structure will be heard in Parliament.

PCP criticises Government delay in supporting populations affected by bad weather

The PCP will summon the Mission Structure for the Reconstruction of the Central Region of the country to Parliament. The State's response to the storms that hit the country at the beginning of the year is the central theme of the PCP's Parliamentary Days, which began yesterday.

Praia da Vieira: PCP criticises insurance companies' 'delays' in paying compensation to storm victims

The PCP accuses insurance companies of 'evading their responsibilities' regarding the payment of compensation following the storms that caused significant damage in several municipalities in the central region of the country at the beginning of the year, and points to cases of 'blackmail' against small business owners.

PCP criticises Government's lack of response to fire risk in the Leiria Pine Forest

MP Paula Santos argues that “means and resources should have been mobilised to effectively reach these areas to try and remove as much biomass as possible”.

“Answers continue to be missing”: PCP criticises Government's lack of action in Leiria and downplays pressure from the President of the Republic

On the first day of parliamentary sessions, the communists attacked the Government for the “few or late” responses to the areas affected by the storms. At Praia da Vieira, in the Leiria district, they demanded “accountability” from insurance companies, but disagreed with the Executive regarding the mandatory nature of insurance.

PCP begins parliamentary sessions in Leiria and Coimbra

The PCP begins three-day parliamentary sessions in the districts of Leiria and Coimbra, focused on the response to the storms that hit the country at the beginning of the year.

PCP parliamentary sessions focus on storms without forgetting the Government's labour package

The centre of the country, heavily affected by the storms at the beginning of the year, hosts the PCP's parliamentary sessions between Sunday and Tuesday. Discussion on labour reform will not be left out.

Political (dis)trust in the Public Administration

A modern state needs a clear boundary between politics and Public Administration. As long as we confuse political trust with technical competence, we will remain trapped in a game of musical chairs.

One must navigate the waves of Nazaré: the Portuguese “curtain of fear” in “times of urgency”, according to Monjardino

“The less strong may not have many cards. But the stronger ones do not have all the cards either,” said Miguel Monjardino, president of the June 10th Commemorations. He was pessimistic about the future and warned that Portugal must be “prepared”.

Former Interior Minister Maria Lúcia Amaral admits: fires and storms were "events that escaped me"

Former Minister of Internal Administration Maria Lúcia Amaral justified her resignation by admitting she no longer had the “personal and political conditions” to continue in the role. Speaking on the RTP Antena 1 podcast 'Ponto de Interrogação' on Tuesday, June 9, the former official addressed the topic publicly for the first time since resigning on February 10, just eight months into her tenure. Her departure occurred during the response to damage caused by a series of storms early in the year, particularly the low-pressure system Kristin, which devastated the centre of the country. Amaral acknowledged that both the storms and the 2025 summer wildfires were occurrences she could not manage, citing their contingency, unpredictability, and scale. She explained that she lacked the necessary technical knowledge and on-the-ground authority to react with the required speed, concluding that it was better to resign than to continue without the necessary leadership capacity. Meanwhile, local mayors have criticised the government over delays in reconstruction support, and the Jerónimo Martins Foundation has pledged 20 million euros for recovery efforts in Leiria, Marinha Grande, and Ourém.

Deadline for housing reconstruction support to be extended, says Minister of Economy

The Minister of Economy, Castro Almeida, admitted today that the deadline for reviewing applications for the reconstruction of homes damaged by storms in Leiria and Marinha Grande, which was set to end on June 30, will be extended.

Thousands affected by bad weather unlikely to receive planned home repair support by the end of the month

The goal of reviewing over 14,000 applications for bad weather support by June 30, set by local authorities, the CCDR-Centro, and the Government, is unlikely to be met. The most affected municipality, Leiria, with nearly 11,000 applications, still has more than half of the planned support pending.

Thousands affected by bad weather unlikely to receive planned support by the end of the month

The goal of reviewing over 14,000 applications for bad weather support by June 30th, as set by local authorities, the CCDR-Centro, and the Government, is unlikely to be met. The most affected municipality, Leiria, with nearly 11,000 applications, still has more than half of the planned support pending.