Latest news and stories about parliamentary debate in Portugal for expats and residents.
The PSD parliamentary group faces internal tension and strategic maneuvering as they prepare to oppose a Chega bill on gender reassignment, aiming to prioritize their own legislative proposal while monitoring centrist Socialist voting patterns.
The parliamentary week starting this Monday features two central themes: the monitoring of the international situation in Venezuela and the beginning of the debate on regionalisation. Parties are presenting resolutions regarding the safety and protection of the Portuguese community in Venezuela, with broad consensus expected on the right. Meanwhile, the Livre party is pushing for regionalisation by proposing a citizens' assembly to evaluate the legal framework for administrative regions, a move supported by other left-wing parties despite the government's current lack of plans for such reforms.
A 14-year-old enters an office and asks to change their name and gender. The law says they can — or will be able to. But one question seems forbidden: are we sure?
A debate in the Portuguese Parliament regarding the rising cost of living, initiated by the Communist Party, shifted into a heated exchange over foreign policy and political hypocrisy. Tensions flared as parties traded accusations over visits to Venezuela and Hungary, with the government defending its current measures while insisting on fiscal responsibility.
Parties called for more robust measures from the Government to address rising fuel prices. The Secretary of State for Tax Affairs accused the opposition of sowing “alarmism”. José Luís Carneiro's visit to Venezuela also caused tensions between the parliamentary benches.
The revocation or deep revision of Law 38/2018 is not transphobia. It is civilisation. It is placing biology, scientific prudence, and the best interests of the child above activism.
Fabian Figueiredo of the BE accused the PSD, Chega, and CDS-PP of wanting to “remove rights” and thereby “leave trans children unprotected” and increase their suffering.
The parliamentary debate exposed opposing positions between left-wing and right-wing parties. The Liberal Initiative ultimately considered the bills from the PSD, CDS, and Chega to be an attack on individual freedom. The vote on the proposals will take place this Friday.
The parliamentary debate was marked by criticism and doubts from the opposition and by the intrusion of Operation Marquês into the discussion.
The announcement was made by Hugo Soares during his opening remarks at the Social Democratic parliamentary group meeting, which is being held behind closed doors.
The PSD parliamentary leader announced this Thursday, March 19, that there will be a mandatory party vote on the party's bill to amend the legal framework for gender and name changes in the civil registry, which would reintroduce mandatory medical validation. The announcement was made by Hugo Soares during a closed-door meeting of the Social Democratic parliamentary group. According to reports, the PSD bench leader argued that the party's proposal is the most balanced among those being discussed today. Parliament is debating initiatives from Chega, CDS-PP, and PSD aimed at repealing or amending Law No. 38/2018, which enshrines the self-determination of gender identity and expression. The PSD proposes returning to the 2011 regime, requiring medical validation for changes, and restricting the ability of 16-to-18-year-olds to change their gender, which was permitted under the 2018 law with parental consent. Chega and CDS-PP have also proposed restrictive measures, while the Left Bloc has introduced a bill to strengthen the current law.
The two party leaders were present this afternoon for the fortnightly debate and the preparatory debate for the European Council.
Mafalda Anjos, a commentator for CNN Portugal, analyses the fortnightly debate taking place this Wednesday at the Assembly of the Republic with the presence of the Government.
The situation in the Middle East is set to be the main topic during the upcoming fortnightly parliamentary debate.
Paula Santos stated that the war in Iran, which “beyond the tragic effects it is producing in the loss of human lives in the region, is destabilising the entire world economy.”
The Assembly of the Republic will discuss initiatives in the coming weeks aimed at elevating settlements to towns and cities. In the last legislative term, 16 towns were created, and Almancil and Mogadouro were elevated to cities.
The Chega bill was rejected with votes against from all parliamentary groups except for the proposer and the centrist party.
Debate in Parliament; the opposition will centre its criticism of Montenegro on health issues.
