Admiral Gouveia e Melo has urged a change in health leadership, saying the Government should resign if it cannot resolve systemic problems in the healthcare system. He accuses the State of failing across the board, criticises missed deadlines for delivering results and calls for accountability and urgent action to protect patients and medical services. The remarks frame the crisis as a leadership and policy failure with direct implications for care delivery and public confidence.

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius conducted his first official visit to Portugal, meeting Defence Minister Nuno Melo and Education Minister Fernando Alexandre to discuss defence and space policy. He signalled that SAFE funds could reach the Portuguese government in the coming weeks or months, prompting analytical questions about budget timing, allocation between defence and civil space programmes, and coordination between national ministries and EU institutions. The visit underlined the need for clear planning to integrate incoming EU funding with Portugal’s defence and space policy priorities.

António José Seguro urged supporters to temper their euphoria, stressing that “nothing is won” until all votes are counted and the race is decided. His caution came amid a heated campaign atmosphere, with rival candidate Gouveia e Melo publicly lambasting Seguro as “shameless” after receiving explicit backing from Rui Rio — a development that underlines sharp interpersonal tensions and the high stakes of a closely contested presidential vote. The intervention is aimed at preserving discipline among backers and managing expectations as results approach.

Economist Vera Gouveia Barros argues that the most effective element of the Construir Portugal programme is tax relief on rentals, citing an ‘almost mechanical effect’ from a proposed 10% autonomous IRS rate for rents up to €2,300. She suggests this tax cut will directly influence rent levels and landlord behaviour, with likely quick transmission into the market. However, the package omits a dedicated room‑rental option — a gap that could limit lower‑cost housing supply and options for students, workers and expats. Barros’ analysis implies policymakers should pair fiscal incentives with targeted measures for small‑unit and shared accommodation and monitor market adjustments to avoid unintended rent inflation or supply imbalances.

The article analyses a surge in national defence innovation driven by a €5.8 billion SAFE loan—the largest single investment in the Armed Forces—positioning defence as a strategic area for both European and national investors. Key growth areas include drones, satellites and aircraft, with emphasis on R&D, dual‑use technologies and strengthened aerospace supply chains that can create jobs and boost exports. The piece examines how procurement reform, public‑private partnerships and targeted skills development are needed to translate investment into sustained industrial capacity and economic impact. It concludes that coherent policy and sustained funding will be essential to maximise technological and economic returns.

The 11-candidate presidential debate, held in two instalments across three topics, was overshadowed by a sustained personal clash between PSD’s Marques Mendes and independent candidate Henrique Gouveia e Melo. Mendes publicly rejected allegations of impropriety — insisting “I am not a facilitator of business deals” — and branded parts of the admiral’s conduct as “vulgarity,” a dispute that punctuated exchanges throughout the evening. Amid this confrontation, Jorge Pinto’s near withdrawal and his declaration that he would not stand in the way of a potential Seguro victory illustrated how interpersonal attacks and tactical moves risked eclipsing substantive policy debate.

Luís Marques Mendes has the most expensive campaign and António José Seguro is the most optimistic in estimating the subsidy to be received. Gouveia e Melo expects to receive €700,000 and Ventura €400,000.