Latest news and stories about economic indicator in government in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
The UGT national secretariat convenes to discuss labour law reform, while the Assistant Secretary of State and Energy addresses Parliament on the Middle East conflict's economic impact, alongside the Public Finance Council's latest report.
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.
Key events for Thursday include INE transport data, Glintt Global's Q1 earnings, the eRadar defence conference at CCB, and Elon Musk's closing arguments in the OpenAI legal case.
This Wednesday features key economic data releases from the INE, a parliamentary hearing for Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, the election of the Nova University of Lisbon rector, and significant institutional inaugurations alongside political debates.
Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento argues that strong VAT and social security contributions suggest the Portuguese economy is growing significantly faster than initial indicators imply. Speaking at the Diário de Notícias Annual Conference, he noted that despite global economic uncertainties and energy price shocks, the country's fiscal situation remains robust. He also highlighted the record reduction in public debt, aiming for it to reach levels comparable to Germany's by the end of the decade, while dismissing concerns regarding primary expenditure growth as temporary effects of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
The oil market has been reacting this Tuesday to the easing of the conflict in the Middle East, but the trend may reverse with the latest developments in the war. The value of oil had been falling by more than 4% after Iran and Israel followed Donald Trump's request to suspend attacks.
Público highlights this Tuesday, June 9, that INEM's negative balance soared to 7.6 million euros last year. According to the newspaper, despite budget reinforcements, the institute's financial health worsened, with transfers to firefighters and personnel expenses cited as the reasons. The paper also reports that medicinal cannabis brings together the partners of Eurico Castro Alves and Marco António Costa. Jornal de Notícias writes that over a million Portuguese people were on medical leave last year, with the state spending 2.3 million euros per day on sickness benefits. Observador notes that the government has changed two-thirds of hospital administrations in two years, with the vast majority of new presidents having ties to the PSD. Correio da Manhã reports that fake bankers stole one million from clients. Expresso features a Forbidden Stories investigation into the murders and kidnappings of critics of the Mozambican government. Diário de Notícias reports that Lisbon City Council is launching tenders for all 163 management positions. Negócios highlights that only 115 euros separate the minimum wage from the median wage and reports a revenue-sharing dispute between ANA and the State. Eco reports that Brussels has returned responsibility to Portugal for the delay of the SAFE check.
The Verlingue Expertise Conference highlights the demographic challenge in Portugal, noting a ratio of just 2.63 active workers per retiree.
Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento expects Portugal to end the year with a near-zero budget balance, avoiding a deficit despite the costs of recent storms and geopolitical tensions. Speaking at an event for state-owned enterprise managers in Lisbon, he highlighted the country's solid fiscal trajectory and projected GDP growth of around 2%. The government also plans to simplify the state business sector to improve efficiency, transparency, and autonomy, while aiming to reduce public debt to below 80% by the end of the legislative term.
The Patriarch of Lisbon thinks the salary gap between Portugal and wealthier countries is “one of the great mysteries”. He could start by solving the enigma within his own house.
The Budget Committee has given the green light to the hearing of Álvaro Santos Pereira. The Governor of the Bank of Portugal will explain the purchase of securities from various companies while he was in office.
Several protests are scheduled from the north to the south of the country, promoted by the UGT and CGTP. A Pordata report reveals that Portugal is the fifth country in the EU with the highest weekly working hours.
A fact-check analysis confirming the accuracy of Prime Minister Montenegro's claim regarding Portugal's employment figures.
The former Governor of the Bank of Portugal also mentioned that “part of the investments made in the United States are with European money”.
The Prime Minister stated today that Portugal is “highly competitive” from an energy perspective, with one of the “lowest costs in the European Union,” and expressed confidence that it will return to growth in 2026 above the EU average.
The Governor of the Bank of Portugal purchased stocks and was subsequently required to reverse the transactions.
Portugal's business landscape is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which officials argue hinders productivity and global competitiveness. To address this 'SME trap,' the Banco Português de Fomento (BPF) plans to inject €30 billion into the economy through 2028, using public guarantees, European funds, and a new sovereign-style investment fund to help companies scale up and compete internationally.
The Portuguese central bank has seen an increase in its gender balance rating, yet it still falls short of the overall average.
Alexandra Leitão warns about investment execution levels and argues that the municipality 'should have adopted a more active strategy to strengthen the public response' in several areas.
The Provider of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML) admits that the institution suffered a 40 million euro drop because the Portuguese people cut back on their gambling expenditure.
Santa Casa de Lisboa recorded its best operating result in 17 years in 2025, with profits of 43.6 million euros, and contributed approximately 870 million to the State through social games, the institution announced today.
The PS Secretary-General argues that the State will collect an additional 500 million euros if inflation remains 1.5 percentage points above the forecast.
The cost of debt is already rising due to the new war. This is the headline of this Monday's edition, April 5th, of Diário de Notícias. For Portugal, the rise in interest rates is sensitive because, despite the downward trend in the debt-to-GDP ratio, the country continues to have high levels of indebtedness that must be paid with budget surpluses and/or refinanced with new debt. The Government's latest forecast points to an increase of 600 million in debt charges by 2026. Also highlighted is survival on credit: more and more families have no other way to buy basic goods. Download the DN at the link below: The photographic highlight goes to the Vatican. In his first Easter as Pope, Leão XIV calls for hope against the “violence of war”. Other highlights: To Trump's threat of “hell”, Iran warns that the “region will burn”. Marcelo's life after Belém includes books and schools, while politics remains behind closed doors. Marta Temido: “I do not recognize the Prime Minister's sectoral knowledge to speak of chaos in Health left by the PS”. Lisbon: One infraction every two days for the sale of alcoholic beverages for street consumption. I League: Nice and Ajax haunt Francesco Farioli and FC Porto in the final stretch of the championship. Artemis II: The day man reaches the dark side of the Moon. Luís Portela: “My interest in the spiritual began when I was young, but, looking at things from a scientific point of view”.
The Prime Minister gave a speech from the garden of the official residence in São Bento, accompanied by ministers from the current government as well as some from the previous one, which he also led.
A DN exclusive on traffic changes in the capital makes the front page: Lisbon City Council restricts ride-hailing services in tourist areas and bus lanes. The municipality will sign an agreement with platforms Bolt and Uber to prohibit starting or ending trips in certain parts of the capital. The commitment also stipulates that all vehicles must be electric by 2030. In the main photo: The National Statistics Institute (INE) releases a strong budgetary performance for 2025 this Thursday, with a surplus higher than expected. Also highlighted: José Maria Ricciardi, the manager who denounced Ricardo Salgado at BES, has died. Download the electronic edition of the newspaper at the link below.
Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento anticipated this Tuesday, March 24, that the 2025 budget surplus, to be released this Thursday by the National Statistics Institute, will be a “pleasant surprise and good news for the country.” The Government had forecast a surplus of 0.3% of GDP for 2025, but the minister had already signaled it would be higher than expected. During a presentation at the Strategic Council of the Portuguese Development Bank in Oeiras, Lisbon, Miranda Sarmento highlighted that last year's budget balance “will be well above the forecasts of entities and expectations.” The minister noted that this figure “will be a pleasant surprise and good news for the country,” which will also have a “positive carry-over effect for 2026.” While the 2025 surplus “makes the margin less tight,” two events in the first quarter of this year—storms and the war in Iran—have “made the margin tight again.” Nevertheless, Miranda Sarmento emphasized that balanced public accounts “are fundamental for the country,” and the Government will maintain this principle while “continuing to support the economy and families.” Regarding economic growth, the minister acknowledged that the storms and the situation in Iran “greatly condition what 2026 will be,” but the Government's expectation was for GDP growth above 2%. “We will see the impact the storms had in the first quarter and, the longer the conflict lasts, what impact there will be,” he stated.
Luís Montenegro admitted that the fact that Portugal may have a deficit this year 'does not mean being in an excessive deficit procedure or an imbalance procedure'.
The webpage provides a variety of recent news updates related to Portugal, including economic, political, and social issues. Key highlights include the acceleration of inflation to 2.1% in February, discussions on fuel price trends and expectations for the upcoming week, and a notable incident involving two tons of spoiled food at a restaurant in Cacém. Additionally, the Portuguese President celebrated his 64th birthday, and there are ongoing debates about judicial processes and reforms. Other topics cover regional security concerns in the Middle East, infrastructure disputes between transportation companies, and cultural news about Michelin-starred restaurants. Overall, the page offers a comprehensive overview of current events impacting Portugal across multiple sectors.
