Latest news and stories about political appointment in Portugal for expats and residents.
The name nominated by agreement between the PS and PSD for the position of Ombudsman fills a vacancy that had existed since June 2025, following the departure of Maria Lúcia Amaral.
The news that the director of the Polícia Judiciária was chosen by the Prime Minister to fill the vacancy left by Maria Lúcia Amaral's withdrawal surprised almost everyone. This is particularly notable as Luís Neves had previously challenged the narrative of 'perceptions' regarding crime and insecurity, which had been promoted by Luís Montenegro and the Chega party. Neves argued against the idea that Portugal is becoming a more dangerous country, citing statistics to debunk claims linking crime to immigration. His strong statements were seen as a direct response to the extreme right's rhetoric and the government's handling of security issues. The appointment of Neves has raised questions about the political implications and the perception of his role in relation to ongoing criminal investigations involving the Prime Minister.
Montenegro has appointed former prime minister Durão Barroso, who will replace Nuno Morais Sarmento as of Thursday; Sarmento resigned the FLAD presidency for health reasons.
