Latest news and stories about public integrity in Portugal for expats and residents.
The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index from Transparency International indicates a slight decline in Portugal's ranking, highlighting weaknesses in public integrity mechanisms and limitations in prevention efforts.
Gustavo Silva, a commentator for CNN Portugal, discusses the investigation by TVI and CNN Portugal that revealed wiretaps from Operation Influencer. In one of them, it is clear that António Costa spoke with Lacerda Machado about the Sines data center investment, despite the former prime minister having stated otherwise.
The Transparency Entity (EpT) only audited 10.24% of politicians' income declarations up to 2026, reports the newspaper Público in this Saturday's edition, April 25. The body, which operates under the Constitutional Court, only completed the verification of 883 out of 8,620 declarations of income, assets, interests, and incompatibilities received between 2024 and 2025. The 8,620 declarations were submitted between March 7, 2024, and the end of 2025 via the electronic platform created for this purpose, and as of December 31, 2025, there were 244 audits in progress. The figures are in the 2025 Activity Report of the EpT, the first full year of activity for this independent body. In a final note, the entity chaired by Ana Raquel Moniz anticipated that in 2026 the number of unique declarations would continue to increase significantly following the start or cessation of duties, or the re-election of political officeholders in last October's local elections. The EpT is chaired by Ana Raquel Moniz, who has a staff of 13 professionals, following the addition of three senior technicians last year in the areas of law and auditing. However, the president considers this number insufficient, telling Público that 11 more people are needed. Despite this, the EpT promises greater efficiency in carrying out essential tasks related to verifying declarations and analyzing requests. Transparency International calls for a public debate on changes to the Court of Auditors, which warns that Portugal still has a long way to go to improve public finances.
Alberto Laplaine Guimarães is one of the most influential figures in the municipal administration.
Alberto Laplaine Guimarães is one of the most influential figures in the municipal administration.
