The Minister of Labour meets again today with the UGT and the four business confederations regarding changes to labour law, following the appeal made by the President of the Republic after the 'rupture' announced by the employers.

The new President took office in Belém, emphasizing the need for national stability while highlighting critical challenges including an ageing population, healthcare and housing deficits, and a slow judicial system.

António José Seguro was sworn in this Monday as President of the Republic, replacing Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belém Palace. To close the day, the head of state decorated his predecessor.

Leader of Chega, Ventura, has called on the Government to return the additional VAT revenue generated from the recent rise in fuel prices, emphasizing the need to differentiate between individuals and businesses. He criticized the Government's response to the fuel price crisis, particularly the insufficient discount on road diesel, and plans to push for an urgent debate in the Assembly of the Republic.

A military flight carrying 39 passengers, including 24 Portuguese nationals, has successfully arrived in Lisbon as part of efforts to evacuate citizens amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. In response to the situation, Portugal is contemplating a new repatriation flight from Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Lisbon and Porto to protest against the government's proposed changes to the labour law, known as the 'Work XXI' reform. Led by the CGTP union, the protests highlighted concerns that the reforms would negatively impact workers' rights. CGTP's Secretary-General, Tiago Oliveira, called for the government to withdraw the labour package, emphasizing its detrimental effects on the workforce.

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.

The planned Luís de Camões airport is situated on flood-prone land along the Tagus River, raising concerns about its viability and safety. The site is the most expensive option, potentially costing the state between 25 billion and 35 billion euros. Recent storms have highlighted the risks associated with this location, prompting experts like Paulino Pereira to suggest relocating the airport to safer areas such as Rio Frio, Montijo, or Alcochete. Engineering solutions to mitigate flooding risks would require significant earth movement, making the project even more costly and complicating access routes, which are also vulnerable to flooding.

The Lisbon City Council has cancelled 40% of local accommodations due to inactivity, marking a significant move in the city's management of 'ghost' AL licenses. This week's highlights also include insights from César Araújo on the influx of Asian products into Europe, discussions on the PRR, and advancements in Quantum Computing. Other topics cover the unpredictability of European funds and TAP's potential role within the Air France/KLM group.

Lisbon introduces a night-time ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages for street consumption effective tonight. Vendors face fines of €150–€1,000 for individuals and €350–€3,000 for businesses; the measure is presented as a regulatory step to curb night-time public disorder and enhance public safety.

Lisbon’s city-wide ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption outside commercial premises takes effect on Saturday 14 February, aiming to reduce noise and protect residents’ right to rest. The measure — approved by Lisbon City Council and implemented 30 days after its publication on 15 January — bars outdoor alcohol sales from 23:00 Sunday–Thursday (midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and eves of holidays) until 08:00 the following day, while allowing consumption inside premises, on licensed outdoor seating and via home delivery. Enforcement by the Lisbon Municipal Police and security forces includes fines of €150–€1,000 for individuals and €350–€3,000 for businesses.

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.

The government is set to move forward with CP's international tender for 12 high-speed trains, expected to be finalized this year. The arrival of these trains is projected for 2032, enabling the launch of high-speed service on the Porto-Lisbon route in the same year.

Moedas has secured an absolute majority with former Chega members, raising questions about the implications for Lisbon's political landscape and whether this shift marks the end of certain political red lines.

The Lisbon Metro has announced preventive measures in response to forecasted bad weather, which may lead to delays in the opening of the Blue and Green lines on Saturday. These measures include the installation of protective barriers at critical access points and the temporary closure of access to six stations.

Lisbon's municipal authority has proposed banning alcohol consumption in public streets from 11pm, with proposed fines of up to €3,000 that could also be applied to establishments. Framed as a measure to reduce nuisance and improve public safety, the proposal raises questions about enforceability, proportionality and the potential economic impact on nightlife and hospitality. Separately, Le Monde reports Emmanuel Macron accusing Donald Trump of 'breaking with international rules', underscoring a parallel debate about norms and accountability on the international stage.