Latest news and stories about legal reforms in government in Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
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.
Lisbon faces a paradox: while the city struggles with a housing shortage, thousands of properties remain vacant due to legal disputes, undivided inheritances, and slow eviction processes. New government proposals aim to accelerate evictions for non-payment and allow individual heirs to unlock the sale of inherited properties. These measures seek to remove legal barriers that have kept thousands of homes off the market for decades, ensuring existing housing stock can finally be utilised.
The trial for the Operação Marquês case resumes on Tuesday in Lisbon, following a three-week interruption—the third such break caused by the resignation of a lawyer for former Prime Minister José Sócrates.
This is the first time a former head of government has sat in the dock for corruption.
The Lisbon Court of Appeal rejected the appeal from the leader of Chega, confirming the initial decision of the Lisbon Civil Court that ordered the removal of presidential campaign posters directed at the Roma community.
The Lisbon Court of Appeal today rejected André Ventura's appeal and confirmed the initial decision of the Lisbon Civil Court, which ordered the removal of his presidential campaign posters that targeted the Roma community.
The webpage provides a broad overview of recent news related to Portugal, including political, economic, and international developments. Key highlights include António Costa criticizing the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil, expressing concern over potential geopolitical and economic repercussions. Domestically, there are updates on legal and political issues, such as the rejection of a complaint by Luís Montenegro regarding client disclosures by Spinumviva. Additionally, the site covers weather forecasts indicating an early transition from winter to spring, and reports on local incidents like police injuries during a chase on the Ponte 25 de Abril. Overall, the content reflects ongoing political debates, international relations, and local news relevant to Portugal.
UNL statutes required rector candidates to be full professors, but the requirement 'exceeds the scope' of the law, says the Lisbon Administrative Court. The election will be repeated and UNL will have to pay €30,000.
Meetings between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister at Belém will now take place on Tuesdays. The government approves measures to accelerate the sale of undivided inheritances.
The webpage provides a variety of recent news updates related to Portugal, including political, economic, and social issues. Key highlights include a meeting between Portugal's President Montenegro and Prime Minister Seguro in Belém, emphasizing cordial relations. The government announced it will maintain fuel discounts if price increases exceed 10 cents. Additionally, there are legislative updates, such as amendments to rental laws. Investigations are ongoing into corruption at the Santa Maria hospital, where a long-standing scheme involving morgue staff was uncovered. Other notable stories involve allegations of mistreatment in a childcare center in Alfragide and political tensions with the ERC opening a process against TVI. The site also covers international news relevant to Portugal, such as the Ukraine conflict and global events.
The webpage provides a variety of recent news updates related to Portugal. Key highlights include a meeting between Portugal's President Montenegro and Prime Minister Seguro in Belém, characterized by cordiality. The government announced it will maintain fuel discounts if price increases exceed 10 cents. Additionally, the Council of Ministers approved amendments to rental laws and other legislation. Investigations are ongoing into alleged corruption at the Santa Maria morgue, where a scheme lasting over 20 years was uncovered, involving employees receiving up to 500 euros monthly. Other notable stories include a police search at Santa Maria, a scandal involving the TVI channel, and reports of abuse in a creche in Alfragide. The webpage also features sports updates, such as a live report from a Europa League match and a suggestion by Rooney for a new Tottenham coach. Overall, the site offers a broad overview of current political, economic, and social issues in Portugal.
Between a death and resignations, Operation Marquês is not progressing in the courts. The legal loophole exploited by Sócrates through the resignation of his defence team threatens to collapse the entire case.
The President of the Republic debuted with a warning to the government, which is a 'waste of ammunition'. And are the delays in the Operation Marquês trial the fault of Sócrates or the system?
The resignations of several of José Sócrates' lawyers have already led to the suspension of 35 trial sessions. Paulo Portas warns of the need for Portugal to preserve political “stability”.
The webpage provides a broad overview of current political, economic, and social news related to Portugal. Key highlights include President José António Seguro's recent inauguration, emphasizing national unity and inclusivity, with his activities beginning in Mourisia. The economic section covers statements from ECB President Christine Lagarde on inflation control and ongoing labor negotiations, where employers show willingness to resume talks, though unions remain cautious. Additionally, there are updates on Portugal's participation in international events, such as the Michelin Gala and the Euromillions lottery results. Other notable topics include Portugal's record rainfall in February, the ongoing Marquês trial, and Portugal's engagement in global issues like the Ukraine conflict and EU-Israel relations.
The webpage provides a variety of recent news updates related to Portugal. Key highlights include a meeting between Portugal's President Montenegro and Prime Minister Seguro in Belém, characterized by cordiality. The government announced it will maintain fuel discounts if price increases exceed 10 cents. Additionally, there are legislative updates, such as approved changes to rental laws. Investigations are underway at the Santa Maria morgue concerning a long-standing scheme involving employees receiving bribes. Other notable stories include a corruption investigation at Santa Maria, a crackdown on suspected maus-tratos (abuse) at a creche in Alfragide, and ongoing coverage of the Ukraine conflict. The site also features sports updates, including a live report on a Europa League match between Estugarda and FC Porto, and commentary on potential new coaching strategies for Tottenham.
The last meeting ended without an agreement and with mutual accusations of intransigence.
Update: Government schedules fresh labour law talks for Monday
Minister of Labour Rosário Palma Ramalho has summoned the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) and business leaders to a meeting on Monday, March 16. The government aims to exhaust all possibilities for an agreement rather than prolonging the discussion indefinitely.
Rosário Palma Ramalho is Portugal’s Minister of Labour, responsible for labour policy, workplace regulation and negotiations with trade unions. Her statements today about the CGTP withdrawing from labour reform talks matter because they affect negotiation dynamics and can influence strikes or demonstrations that may disrupt public services and workplaces.
The General Union of Workers (UGT – União Geral de Trabalhadores) is one of Portugal’s two main national trade union confederations. Founded in Lisbon on 28 October 1978, it was created as a social‑democratic alternative to the more communist‑aligned CGTP after the 1974 Revolution, grouping unions close to the Socialist Party and moderate centre‑right currents.
UGT represents around 400,000 workers and is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation and International Trade Union Confederation, giving Portuguese labour a voice at EU and global level. Its principles stress union independence from the state, employers, churches and parties, internal democracy and active worker participation.
Historically, UGT’s hallmark has been “propositive” social dialogue: it is usually more willing than CGTP to sign tripartite agreements on wages, labour law and social policy with governments and employers, shaping minimum wage increases, working‑time rules and social protection reforms. This makes UGT a key centrist actor in Portugal’s industrial relations, often mediating between left and right while defending collective bargaining and incremental improvements to labour rights.
The Minister of Economy stated this Tuesday, March 10, that the lack of an agreement on labour legislation is not due to a lack of will from the Government, which “intensely wants” a consensus. Manuel Castro Almeida noted that the Government has been eager to reach an agreement, speaking on the sidelines of the Banca 2026 Forum in Lisbon. When asked if the law will proceed without a consensus in the Social Concertation, the minister replied, “We shall see.” Meanwhile, the CIP and CCP have confirmed that negotiations have ended without an agreement, leaving the next steps to the Government, which may now submit the “Trabalho XXI” reform proposal to the Assembly of the Republic.
“By summer” is the new deadline for completing the hearing room where judges will be able to interview foreign nationals barred at Lisbon Airport. ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal states that the project is in the contracting phase and expects the renovation to be finished by summer. The room, proposed by the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM), is at least a year behind schedule due to bureaucratic delays and disputes over responsibilities between the police, the Ministry of Justice, and airport management. Currently, 1,867 passengers were denied entry in 2025, and the new facility aims to ensure that the legal right of these individuals to be heard by a judge is upheld more efficiently, preventing cases where people are deported before their legal proceedings can be completed.
Marco António Amaro has resigned from the defence of the former prime minister, and the restart of the trial, scheduled for next week, will be postponed once more. Sócrates complains of “judicial violence”.
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.
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.
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.
