23 March 2026 – 29 March 2026

At the 25th National Congress of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), Carlos César was confirmed as party president and warned that excluding the PS from judicial appointments is a risk to democracy. Leader José Luís Carneiro stated that a rupture will occur if the government bypasses the PS to negotiate with the Chega party regarding the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). The tension centers on the selection of three new judges for the court, which Chega leader André Ventura claims is a historic opportunity for reform.

Update: Carneiro re-elected as PS leader amid calls for dialogue

José Luís Carneiro was re-elected as secretary-general at the Viseu congress, where he outlined ten priorities including wage convergence with the European average by 2035. Leonor Beleza, vice-president of the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), responded by calling for discretion in negotiations regarding the Constitutional Court. Carneiro also warned that the PS will reject the government's current labor law reform proposal if it remains unchanged.

More than 100 personnel and three aircraft are currently fighting a wildfire in the Pedra Bela area of the Peneda-Gerês National Park (Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês). Authorities from the Cávado Sub-regional Command for Emergency and Civil Protection (Comando Sub-regional de Emergência e Proteção Civil do Cávado) report that no homes are currently at risk. The fire broke out Saturday afternoon in the municipality of Terras de Bouro, involving multiple fire brigades and the GNR.

Update: Wildfire in Peneda-Gerês National Park brought under control

Emergency services have brought the fire in Terras de Bouro under control (dominado), with the status downgraded to the resolution phase (resolução) as of Sunday afternoon. While 81 personnel and 22 vehicles remain on-site for mop-up operations (rescaldo), the immediate threat to the national park has subsided. One aerial asset was used throughout the morning to douse remaining hotspots in difficult-to-access terrain.

Education Minister Fernando Alexandre announced that schools damaged by Storm Kristin will be rebuilt to withstand winds of 200 kilometers per hour. The government is adopting construction models used in countries frequently exposed to cyclones to ensure structural resilience and prevent future closures. Parents and students should note that the plan involves redesigning projects in collaboration with local municipalities (municípios).

Update: Government sets June deadline for delayed housing support

The government aims to complete all financial support for private homes damaged by the storm by June 30, admitting that only 10% of 30,000 applications have been processed. Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion Manuel Castro de Almeida also announced that €500 million in projects from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência or PRR) will be reallocated due to the disaster. Those awaiting support should note that 750 technicians are being deployed to help municipalities speed up damage assessments.

At the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) congress in Viseu, leader José Luís Carneiro proposed 0% value-added tax (Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado or IVA) on essential food and a reduction to 13% for fuel. Meanwhile, former President Aníbal Cavaco Silva criticized the theatrical discourse of Chega and urged Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to maintain distance from the party. Tax-paying residents should note these proposals aim to address the rising cost of living linked to international conflicts.

Update: Carlos César re-elected PS president amid internal list challenge

Carlos César was re-elected as president of the PS with 89.9% of the vote as the congress continued in Viseu. While the party leadership remains stable, former MP Ricardo Gonçalves presented an alternative list for the National Commission (Comissão Nacional), challenging the use of single lists. Party members should note that the meeting concludes on Sunday with the final election of national bodies.

The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) will debate petitions on April 1st that propose changing how the five-year residency requirement for citizenship is calculated. The proposal suggests the countdown should begin when a foreigner first requests residency from the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA), rather than when the permit is actually issued. Visa holders should note that this change could significantly shorten the total waiting time for Portuguese nationality (nacionalidade portuguesa).

A new government proposal aims to reform inheritance laws by strengthening the power of testators to define how their assets are divided among heirs. The change would allow individuals to specify which specific properties or assets go to which heirs within the legitimate portion (legítima), a restriction that currently limits estate planning. Property owners should note that the reform also seeks to reduce the number of undivided inheritances (heranças indivisas) that often lead to legal deadlocks.

Internal documents from the European Parliament suggest Portugal may see a 12% reduction in its national funding envelope for the 2028-2034 budget cycle. The cut results from a new EU architecture that merges the Common Agricultural Policy (Política Agrícola Comum) and cohesion funds into a single strategic plan. Residents should note that this reduction could impact long-term public investment in infrastructure and regional development.

A 28-year-old woman was murdered in her home in Castelo de Vide on Saturday in a case being investigated as domestic violence (violência doméstica). The 42-year-old suspect, identified as her ex-partner, died shortly after in a car accident while attempting to flee the scene. Residents should note that the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) is leading the investigation into the homicide.

Two men in their 30s died on Saturday morning after being struck by a car that veered onto the pavement in Ericeira. The driver of the vehicle was also injured and transported to the Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon. Residents should note that the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) is investigating the circumstances of the crash, which occurred near the local fire station.

The PS Congress meets this weekend in Viseu to refine its opposition strategy. José Luís Carneiro arrives at the major meeting re-elected and without declared internal opposition, but with several voices pointing to the need to sharpen their focus.

Is a possible resolution to the deadlock at the Constitutional Court getting closer?

European budgetary rules protect countries that maintain a “budgetary situation close to balance,” meaning a deficit of less than 0.5%, from the opening of an excessive deficit procedure.