Latest news and stories about government policy in Santarém, Portugal for expats and residents.
President of the Republic António José Seguro continues his Open Presidency in the Santarém district, focusing on storm recovery efforts and addressing infrastructure concerns with local GNR officials.
The deadline for submitting lists for Parliament's external bodies concludes today, following a rescheduling from the original April 1st date.
President of the Republic António José Seguro emphasizes the need for a balanced labour agreement while maintaining an active schedule of high-level institutional meetings.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa says the immediate priority in the affected areas is to restore electricity and communications after widespread outages that have left almost 200,000 customers without power and some communities—such as Colmeias and Memória in Leiria—isolated. Speaking after a journey to Ferreira do Zêzere during which he was “almost always without communications”, he warned of long‑standing structural weaknesses, urged caution and calm, and called for a collective, coordinated State response with preventive measures to manage the emergency.
The programme included a guard of honour, a briefing on Army activity, and operational demonstrations.
The Left Bloc (BE) and the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) argue that lay-offs for energy transition cannot be carried out at the expense of workers and are calling for urgent Government intervention. The actions affect up to 500 employees in the Médio Tejo region.
The statements were made on the sidelines of the 5th National Meeting of Diocesan Commissions for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults.
Seguro's first Open Presidency revealed pressure and oversight. The Government only received the programme on the eve of the event.
The President of the Republic wants better conditions for veterans and is pressuring the Government to deliver. He acknowledges progress but does not consider it sufficient while there are still “gaps”.
The President of the Republic, António José Seguro, is on an 'Open Presidency' visit to the Central region areas affected by recent severe weather. This Wednesday, at the Casa dos Tectos in Tomar, he held separate meetings with the Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority (ASF), the Portuguese Insurers Association (APS), and other entities.
Nuno Melo speaks of correcting an injustice.
Montenegro considers Seguro's contributions constructive and wants less 'noise' to find solutions. The President of the Republic guarantees he is not there to create problems but wants responsibilities to be assumed.
The President met with the Prime Minister this afternoon for their usual weekly meeting. António José Seguro reminded that it is the Government that holds executive power and that the goal of this open presidency is to find solutions, not to create problems.
The President met with the Prime Minister this afternoon for their usual weekly meeting. António José Seguro reminded that it is the Government that holds executive power and that the goal of this open presidency is to “find solutions, not create problems.”
Montenegro argues that the Prime Minister and the President do not want a “blame game”, but rather to respond quickly to people's problems. Seguro stresses that this “is not the time for evaluation”.
On the day of their weekly meeting, Montenegro revealed that the two have been talking privately about the need to avoid 'blame-shifting'. In public, Seguro even guaranteed he wants to be part of the 'solution' and not the 'problem', but pointed to the Prime Minister when he said the State needs to assume 'responsibilities' for the expectations generated among populations affected by the storm and the delays occurring on the ground.
The President of the Republic also mentioned that there is information and clarification work that must be done regarding the support.
The President of the Republic called today for “fewer words and more action” to respond to the damage caused by the bad weather, insisting that “it is necessary to speed up support” and understand what happened in order to “draw lessons for the future.”
The President of the Republic will meet with the Prime Minister this afternoon for their usual weekly meeting. He has already stated that he intends to address some of the concerns of the population affected by the storms earlier this year. The second day of the Open Presidency has begun in Ourém.
The President of the Republic will meet with the Prime Minister this afternoon for their usual weekly meeting. He has already stated that he intends to raise some of the concerns of the population affected by the storms at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, the second day of the Open Presidency begins in Ourém.
The head of state is dedicating the second day of his first open presidency to the Santarém district, concluding with the weekly meeting with the prime minister in Tomar, following a day of visits to homes affected by the severe weather.
The President of the Republic will meet with the Prime Minister this afternoon for their usual weekly meeting. He has already stated that he intends to raise some of the concerns of the population affected by the storms at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, the second day of the Open Presidency begins in Ourém.
The President of the Republic will meet with the Prime Minister this afternoon for their usual weekly meeting. He has already stated that he intends to raise some of the concerns of the population affected by the storms at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, the second day of the Open Presidency begins in Ourém.
Instead of Belém, the Casa dos Tectos in Tomar will host the meeting between the PM and Seguro as part of the Open Presidency. Additionally, the Minister of Labour says the meeting with the UGT and employers went well.
The President will be on the road for a week with a focus on the reconstruction of the Central region. The weekly meeting with Montenegro will be in Tomar, and this “Open Presidency” will cover more than just the impact of the severe weather.
The president of Chega stated this Saturday that Portugal has a “historic opportunity” to revise the Constitution and break what he considers to be a “permanent blockade” exercised by the Constitutional Court, arguing that the process should move forward “still this year”. In a speech addressed to party mayors at the Chega municipal conference in Santarém, André Ventura claimed it “makes no sense” for institutions like the Constitutional Court to continue, as he put it, “blocking changes”. He insisted that the revision is not against any party but for the country, and appealed to the PSD to take on the “historic responsibility” of participating in the process, accusing the party of a “permanent vice” of aligning itself with the Socialist Party.
The President of the Republic stated today that he is “naturally concerned” about the evolution of the international situation and the impact of the storms, and assured that the Government has been approving “the necessary support at each moment” for families and businesses.
António José Seguro says he has been receiving information to that effect “both publicly and privately”.
The President of the Republic stated this Saturday (28) that he is hopeful for a “balanced agreement” on labour legislation between the Government and social partners, as he has received information to that effect, “both publicly and privately”. Speaking in Santarém, António José Seguro recalled his call for dialogue made on his second day in office, urging representatives of workers, employers, and the Government to contribute responsibly to a balanced agreement. The Government has submitted a new document to the UGT and business confederations regarding changes to labour law, specifically insisting on extending contract terms and adjusting sectors covered by minimum services during strikes. The President also expressed his belief that Parliament will elect new members to the Council of State before April 17, while avoiding comment on the controversy surrounding the Constitutional Court. Seguro further warned of “threats to the international order” and advocated for strengthening military capabilities.
António José Seguro only stated that he is confident in the election of the new members of the Council of State next week.
