Latest news and stories about government policy in culture in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
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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.
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.
The Head of State reaffirmed that one of the ambitions and priorities of his term is to “form a great coalition with young Portuguese people”.
The interpretation centre for the 25th of April was initially planned for Terreiro do Paço, in Lisbon, a location that the current Government has already ruled out.
At issue is the construction of an Interpretive Centre for the 25th of April.
The 25th of April celebrations are taking place at São Bento, featuring an open-door policy at the Parliament and access to the gardens of the Prime Minister's official residence.
The Prime Minister said the actor “is a Portuguese hero”.
In his first 25th of April solemn session as President of the Republic, António José Seguro dedicated his speech to the younger generation whose “future has been mortgaged”. Marking a difference from his two predecessors, Seguro wore a red carnation on his lapel.
The CGTP has already stated that it wants to make the commemorations 'another high point' in the rejection of the Government's labour reform.
The President of the Republic warned that “freedom does not end on the day it is won” and argued that “honouring April means choosing to live up to the country of our dreams, which is yet to be fulfilled”.
The President of the Republic stated today that “Portugal does not just need to celebrate April”, but to “fulfil April, in social justice, in the dignity of work, in the fight against inequalities and in the defence of truth”.
The President of the Republic warned that “freedom does not end on the day it is conquered”.
The Parliamentary Committee on Transparency approved this Friday, with only Livre opposing, an opinion concluding that there are no incompatibilities regarding the candidacies of three Chega deputies to the RTP Opinion Council. This opinion on the legal possibility of deputies running for the RTP Opinion Council was presented by...
António José Seguro will give his third institutional speech in Parliament this Saturday, on his first 25th of April as President of the Republic.
The presidential palace in Belém is caught between two sides as demonstrations take place during Lula's visit to Portugal.
