Latest news and stories about government policy in culture in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
António José Seguro advocates for a shift in Portuguese political culture, urging an end to improvisation and the blame game in favor of structured planning and trust.
This Wednesday features the ECO Festival's 10th-anniversary celebration, a parliamentary debate with the Prime Minister, the release of INE's April housing evaluation survey, and the publication of the financial stability report.
A section of a newspaper or publication featuring letters sent by readers to the editor.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the 25th of April Association president emphasize the need to uphold the values of the Carnation Revolution, focusing on social justice, labor dignity, and truth while calling for an end to global conflicts.
The UGT National Secretariat is set to reject the government's latest labour code proposal, citing insufficient progress and constitutional concerns, despite ongoing mediation efforts by President António José Seguro.
President of the Republic António José Seguro is set to hold individual meetings with social partners in Belém this Wednesday to discuss the government's contentious labour legislation proposal.
Minister of Labour Rosário Palma Ramalho has concluded negotiations on the labour package, confirming that a final version will be sent to the CGTP while the government awaits the UGT's definitive position on the proposed reforms.
Mayors are seeking meetings with political parties to address the negative impact of obstetric emergency service closures on local populations, particularly those in remote areas.
António José Seguro has officially taken office as the 21st President of the Portuguese Republic, succeeding Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who was honored with the Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty on his final day.
The Cascais PSD has officially handed over municipal portfolios to Chega, following a governance agreement approved by Chega's national leadership. The party, led by Ventura, will now oversee the portfolios for transparency and sports. In response, the Socialist Party (PS) has decided to return their portfolios in protest, marking a significant shift in the local political landscape.
The article critiques Carlos Moedas for his political maneuvers, particularly his secretive agreement with the far-right party Chega, which contradicts his public image as a reformist. It highlights the lack of transparency in his dealings and the implications for his governance in Lisbon, emphasizing that he can no longer blame external factors for inaction. The piece calls for Moedas to focus on effective governance rather than personal political ambitions, as he now holds a majority that was not directly granted by the electorate.
Portugal is seeking to enhance its appeal to Middle Eastern investors, particularly from Qatar, by shifting its marketing strategy beyond just its favorable climate. In Doha, representatives from Startup Portugal are engaging with local entrepreneurs to promote investment opportunities in the country.
André Ventura returned to the campaign trail in Sacavém after advancing to the second round, challenging António José Seguro to more debates and accusing him of preparing to avoid direct confrontations. Ventura said he was astonished that several right‑wing and establishment figures were endorsing Seguro — whom he claims is ‘running into the arms of the Socialist Party’ — but stressed that such endorsements do not matter to him and that only popular support counts.
President António José Seguro closed the Diário de Notícias Grand Conference, warning that quality journalism is essential for democracy in an era of industrial-scale disinformation. He addressed the risks of Artificial Intelligence, the need for a free and pluralistic press, and the challenges posed by the digital revolution. Seguro also reflected on the erosion of international rules-based order, the impact of global rivalries, and the importance of truth in maintaining democratic debate, human dignity, and international stability.
Good morning! Welcome to our coverage of the DN 2026 Grand Conference. Throughout the day, more than 500 people will be gathered at the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon to hear from dozens of personalities and experts. The event will feature the presence of President António José Seguro at the closing session, and the Government will be represented by the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, with Gonçalo Saraiva Matias and Joaquim Miranda Sarmento also in attendance. See the full programme here.
A section of a newspaper or publication featuring letters sent by readers to the editor.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, attended a parliamentary hearing this Wednesday and acknowledged that the building has “very serious structural problems”.
The government is studying alternative locations for the National Costume Museum due to severe structural issues in its current building. Additionally, the Minister of Culture, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, announced that extra funding will be provided to complete rehabilitation works at the National Archaeology Museum and the São Carlos National Theatre, as the initial Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) funding only covered partial interventions.
The Government is “studying other locations” to house the National Costume Museum due to “very serious structural problems” in the building, and is seeking additional funding for renovations at the National Archaeology Museum and the São Carlos National Theatre.
Margarida Davim, a commentator for CNN Portugal, analyses the statements made by Pedro Passos Coelho and André Ventura, who were together at an event in Lisbon.
Three mayors from provinces hardest hit by the conflict in Ukraine participated this Tuesday, May 12, in the second and final day of the ACT NOW Mayors event, held at the Estoril Congress Centre as part of Cascais-European Capital of Democracy 2026. They shared the challenges of governing and building trust among citizens while maintaining essential services, communications, and civic life in war-torn territories. Denys Korotenko, mayor of Shyroke in the Zaporizhzhia province, emphasized that despite the proximity to the front line, community building continues. Liudmyla Prokopechko, mayor of Dobroslav in the Odessa province, noted that the war has united them, while Natalia Petrenko, head of the Shulhinka Administration in the Luhansk province, highlighted the importance of maintaining ties with citizens, including those displaced abroad or living under Russian occupation, despite the risks posed by monitored communication channels. The mayors also stressed the need to proactively support vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, through digital inclusion and direct outreach.
It was an intense week in Portuguese politics. Luís Montenegro flew to Germany, spoke to business leaders representing '80% of German GDP' — which curiously grew to 120% during his speech — and returned home without a parade, without a statue, and without a single television news report that did justice to the historic feat.
The Lisbon Municipal Assembly approved a proposal exempting Rock in Rio from paying 3.13 million euros in fees, with favourable votes from PSD, IL, and CDS-PP, and an abstention from the PS.
We have decision-makers who manage the public purse with the lightness of someone playing on a Monopoly board, jumping from advisory role to advisory role and from office to office.
The 25th of April marks the beginning of democracy, freedom, and equality. It celebrates the military coup that transformed into a peaceful revolution through the spontaneous, total, and free support of the people, overthrowing the authoritarian, oppressive, and regressive regime that had governed the country for nearly half a century. In 2026, fifty-two years after that founding moment, detractors of the 25th of April—and the values it represents—have become vocal. These heralds of historical revisionism, based on anti-democratic ideological prejudices and often falsehoods, use the very freedom that April gave us to attack freedom itself, benefiting from the tolerance that is the core of Democracy's ethical superiority. These radical and anti-democratic populist politicians demand constant vigilance and proactivity from democrats in defending freedom and equality. However, they are not alone; self-proclaimed moderates who dilute the historical and political significance of the 25th of April also contribute to diminishing this seminal moment. Unfortunately, this was evident in the commemorations organised by the Government at the Prime Minister's official residence and by the Lisbon City Council. In São Bento, there was a celebration of theatre, including a fitting tribute to Ruy de Carvalho, but the 25th of April was absent—an unforgivable omission, especially when democratic values are under threat. In Lisbon, the City Council and EGEAC organised no institutional commemoration of the 25th of April, under the pretext of integrating it into the so-called 'Spring Festivals,' which celebrate 'the return of the sun, flowers, good spirits, and the desire to go out and do things with friends.' The complete erasure of the 25th of April in this context is symptomatic of the indifference with which the City government views the Revolution that restored our democracy and freedom, and which also created autonomous and democratic local government. Both celebrations (or their omission) contrast with the President of the Republic's actions in Belém, where he opened the Palace gardens with a programme alluding to the anniversary. However, the indifference of the Government and the Lisbon City Council was met with a response in the streets. The tens of thousands of people, including many young people, who marched for hours along Avenida da Liberdade, from Marquês de Pombal to Rossio, demonstrated that the 25th of April is alive where it matters most: in all of us, the people. The same people who, in 1974, joined the military to peacefully, with joy, altruism, and generosity, take the reins of a democratic, free, fair, and solidary future into their own hands. Note: The speeches at the 25th of April ceremony in the Assembly of the Republic brought the issue of transparency and political scrutiny into heated debate. In an era of populism, simplistic and caricatured approaches are dangerous and counterproductive. The President of the Republic's statement remains lapidary: 'Suspicion grows in opacity.'
The Socialist Party is bringing a motion to the City Council meeting this Wednesday regarding the decision on the 25th of April Interpretive Centre. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro confirmed the relocation of the project, originally scheduled for 2026, while Santarém has expressed interest in hosting it. The PS, led by Alexandra Leitão in the City Council, is urging Mayor Carlos Moedas to clarify when the Council was informed of the Government's intent to abandon or reconfigure the project in Lisbon, demanding firm opposition to the move. Additionally, the PCP and the Left Bloc are questioning a 75,000-euro direct award for the 'Chic-Nic' festival at Parque Eduardo VII, linked to a collaborator of Moedas. Other topics include João Ferreira's (PCP) proposal for the former Fábrica Barros site and the Left Bloc's inquiries into EGEAC and the concession of the Quartel da Graça.
By choosing 'People Have the Power' as a soundtrack, Carlos Moedas appropriated an anthem of democratic participation to, later on, conduct a governing practice that retains almost nothing of it.
Last Saturday, during the April 25th parade, the Liberal Initiative was once again insulted on Avenida da Liberdade. On the day Portugal celebrates the end of political imposition, some believe it is their duty to dictate who is allowed to celebrate. The author argues that a certain political caste uses the revolution as a shield to block reforms and maintain the status quo, while hypocritically ignoring the significance of November 25th. The text asserts that true freedom belongs to everyone and that fighting for a better, more dynamic country is the most faithful way to honour the spirit of the April revolution.
Socialist councillor Ana Mendes Godinho faced backlash after videos showed her turning her back on Sintra Mayor Marco Almeida and using her mobile phone during his speech at the 25th of April commemorations in Massamá. Godinho denied the act was a protest, claiming she was following protocol by facing the public and security forces, while the municipality criticised her behaviour. The incident follows a similar protest by Socialist MP Pedro Delgado Alves against the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, during the national parliamentary celebrations.
