Portugal's general discussion (general events)

[Tender Branson]

Did you return it already ?

[Mike88]

Did you return it already ?

Not yet, I will do it on the weekend. My parents want me to do theirs also, so I will send everything during the weekend.

But, so far, almost 1,2 million households have responded to the Census, totalizing 2,918,560 residents.

[Mike88]

2021 Census update:

As of this Friday morning, 1,633,842 households have responded to the Census totalizing 4,040,360 residents, almost 40% of the estimated population in Portugal.

The deadline to submit the online Census questionnaire is May 3rd.

[Mike88]

Anglo-American Start Campus company invests 3,5 billion euros in a big data center in Sines, Alentejo:

https://twitter.com/TeKSapo/status/1385559342657703938

Sines to receive global data mega-center in investment of 3.5 billion euros

Sines was the city chosen for the installation and development of a Hyperscaler Data Center campus, a data mega-center with a capacity of up to 450 MW. The Sines 4.0 project is owned by the start campus, a company owned by the American Davidson Kempner Capital Management and the British Pioneer Point Partners, and has a final investment volume of up to 3.5 billion euros.

It is said that the project will create up to 1,200 highly qualified direct work points, and can generate up to 8,000 indirect jobs by 2025. Sines is now hosting one of the largest data center campuses in Europe, responding to the growing demand for large international companies providing streaming services, social media, eCommerce, gaming, online education, videoconferencing, cloud computing, as well as other data processing and storage and business apps.

The project combines the needs of the new era of the digital transition, highlighting the privileged position of Portugal and Sines, “contributing significantly to an energy transition in Portugal. We also highlight the objective of the campus to represent a zero net carbon footprint, ensuring globally competitive energy prices, security, stability and, of course, data security compliance.
(...)
With construction scheduled to begin in 2022, involving 900 people in the first phase and up to 2,700 in total, Sines 4.0 should open, at the end of 2023, the first of the five projected buildings.

[Mike88]

2021 Census update:

It's done. Already returned my Census questionnaire.

So far, 1,983,424 usual households have responded to the Census, totalizing 4,894,206 residents. (around 47% of the total estimated population)

Also, in 2011, there were a total 3,991,112* usual residences, which means that, using the 2011 data, 49.7% of households have responded to the Census, so far.

* In 2021, it's expected to be more usual residences.

[Mike88]

2021 Census update:

As of this evening, 25 April, almost 6 million people, 5,841,682 residents, have taken part in the Census and have return their questionnaires from a total of 2,353,010 households.

However, there are a few controversies surrounding the Census questions:

https://twitter.com/Publico/status/1385463742700392449

Social issues: Sex, religion, housing: criticisms of “rushed” Census do not stop

Criticism of the criteria for identifying homeless people. Criticism of the absence of questions about gender identity and sexual orientation. Alerts about the list of religions and, also, about possible difficulties of the immigrant community in completing the survey. (...)

I actually think the most ludicrous thing from this Census, is the exclusion of the question about race. The Government approved the question in the Census, but the INE didn't put it because it's too complex and doesn't feel right. So, they will do a "survey" which will cost more money to see the race composition of Portuguese society. Ridiculous.

[Boobs]

Non sequitur, but is the era of the geringonça over? Has the increased Socialista plurality had a significant change in policy or attitudes in the government?

[Mike88]

Non sequitur, but is the era of the geringonça over? Has the increased Socialista plurality had a significant change in policy or attitudes in the government?

No problem. The "geringonça", in its original form, is basically dead. BE is refusing to talk with the PS and even voted against the government budget for this year. PCP is the only one that is helping the PS, but they are polling badly in the polls and this fall local elections will be a crucial test for the Communists as a weak result for them could create a political crisis. Of course, a possible crisis is also dependent on how the PSD performs in the elections.

You can see more info, polls and analysis in the Portugal election thread: https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=352630.1200

[Mike88]

Violence in football: TV reporter attacked by a FCPorto member after a Porto-Moreirense match.

https://twitter.com/observadorpt/status/1386825553785802768

TVI image reporter attacked outside the stadium after the match by FC Porto element.

After the confusion generated on the pitch at the end of the match between FC Porto and Moreirense, with the blue and white officials protesting, and much, with the performance of referee Hugo Miguel, the spirits continued to be exalted also outside the Parque Desportivo Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, with even an attack by the agent Pedro Pinho to a TVI image reporter, Francisco Ferreira, which was recorded by the cameras that were close to the Porto coach and when Pinto da Costa was nearby.

After the departure of Pinto da Costa, president of FC Porto, it is visible that another element linked to the dragons, which does not appear in the images, attacks the image reporter, who then drops the camera, causing material damage to the Queluz de Baixo TV network. This element will be the businessman Pedro Pinho, who is not part of the structure of the blues and whites has links to the club, having intermediated several businesses in recent years with the dragons' SAD. The aggressor was immediately identified by the GNR, which was present in that area, leaving after the location already inside his vehicle.

According to Victor Pinto, a journalist at TVI, the perpetrator of the aggression, after the episode, was “sorry”, “I would like to apologize” and even “reimburse TVI due to the losses”. He also pointed out that, according to Vítor Baía, Pinto de Costa's approach to journalists was "in a tone of provocation", almost "joke", than an "attitude of intimidation". It should be added that, in the images that were seen of the area where the leaders of the dragons were at Commander Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, Pedro Pinho did not see the meeting in the same place as the leaders, with administrators Vítor Baía, Adelino Caldeira and Fernando Gomes close to Pinto da Costa and Vítor Magalhães, presidents of FC Porto and Moreirense, who were in the front row.
(...)

[Mike88]

Duarte Lima, former PSD caucus leader in the 90's, will face trial in Portugal for the murder of Rosalina Ribeiro, the widow of one of Portugal's richest businessmen:

https://twitter.com/RTPNoticias/status/1386997404369670144

Darter Lima will be tried in Portugal for the murder of Rosalina Ribeiro

Duarte Lima is going to be tried in Portugal for the murder of Rosalina Ribeiro, which occurred in Brazil in 2009. The former deputy intended to be tried in Brazil. The decision was made by Judge Pedro Lucas. The judge refused Duarte Lima's defense request and decided that the case of the death of millionaire Tomé Feteira's ex-partner will be tried in the Sintra Court.

Contacted by RTP, the lawyer of the former PSD caucus leader confirms that the criminal proceedings will continue in Portugal and says that any reaction will be carried out in the process.

Duarte Lima's lawyer understood that the request made by Brazil - and accepted by the Portuguese Minister of Justice - was not allowed for the case to be judged in Portugal, alleging “the issue of good administration of justice”.

On Friday, a prior hearing had been held for the judges to assess whether or not Duarte Lima should be tried in Portugal on the Rosalina Ribeiro murder charge. A suspicion that was investigated in Brazil.

The lawyer recalled that the facts occurred in Brazil, that most of the witnesses are resident in that country, that there is a need to travel to the crime scene (Maricá) and that the Brazilian investigation model is different from the Portuguese one, since the direction of the investigation does not belong to the Public Ministry (MP).

The MP disagreed and countered that the trial should take place in Portugal because the accused was not extradited to Brazil and is serving a prison sentence in national territory.

"Otherwise [Duarte Lima] would not be tried in Brazil because he is in Portugal and would not be tried in Portugal because the process was investigated in Brazil and that would be total impunity," said the prosecutor.

Duarte Lima was accused in Brazil of the murder of Rosalina Ribeiro, secretary and companion of Portuguese millionaire Tomé Feteira.

The facts date back to 2009, when Rosalina Ribeiro, who had Duarte Lima as a lawyer in the inheritance process of Portuguese millionaire Tomé Feteira, was shot dead, her body found on the side of a road in Maricá, on the outskirts of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

This story is really WTF. He's accused of murdering Ms Rosalina Ribeiro and of making up a story that she was in a meeting with a women that has no identity or trace. The most funny thing is that the sketch photo of the alleged woman is very similar to him.

[Mike88]

Another controversy surrounding the Census:

The Statistic Institute has suspended the contract with the company that ran the security of the Census website:

https://twitter.com/JNegocios/status/1387136905968558086

The National Institute of Statistics has chosen to suspend the contract with the North American technology company Cloudflare for "performance and security" services on the Census website

The National Statistics Institute (INE) decided to suspend the contract with the North American technology company Cloudflare after doubts about the company had been raised, the INE's Board of Directors informed this Tuesday.

At issue is a publication on social networks that accused Cloudflare, which provided "performance and security" services to the INE website dedicated to the collection of the 2021 Census. In that publication, the company was accused of misappropriating personal data and was referred to who had a "long history" of similar cases.
(...)
In the statement, INE reiterates that "its approach respects security requirements and constitutes the best option for the success of the operation in a timely manner, service performance and in face of the expected global threats". "The 2021 Census collection platform is safe, as well as the other technological options of the same scope in all INE activity", he stresses.

However, the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) contacted INE on Monday, April 26, and "raised doubts regarding the legal framework for the subscription of performance and security services in the scope of the census operation with the company Cloudflare ". Following this contact, reveals the institute, "INE decided to suspend subscription entirely of these services so that there are no doubts regarding information security ".

INE ensures that the security of the Census 2021 website will not be affected, "the total protection of personal data will continue to be ensured".

Also "the form of response by the population will not be equally affected, but there may be a decrease in the quick access to the Census collection site ".

"INE reaffirms that this collection option - that is, the answer via the internet - is the most appropriate, particularly in view of the moment that we are living in public health ", they conclude.

[Mike88]

Biggest suspension pedestrian bridge in the world to open next week in Arouca, Aveiro district:

https://twitter.com/Publico/status/1387318002069147651

Aveiro: Arouca opens the “biggest suspension bridge in the world” to everyone on Monday

The 516 Arouca Bridge, pointed out by its builders as the largest in the world among suspended pedestrians, opens this Thursday to residents of the municipality and Monday to the general public, always with prior purchase of the ticket on the internet.

Connecting the margin of Canelas to that of Alvarenga through 516 meters of span, the new tourist equipment in the Aveiro district is connected to the Passadiços do Paiva and is located 175 meters above the river, providing unobstructed views in all directions of the landscape through the metallic railing that makes up the floor of the bridge and its side guards.

Visitors with proof of address in Arouca can take advantage of the experience free of charge, if they already have the resident card that for 5 euros guarantees them free pass for three years on the bridge and on the Passadiços do Paiva, but users from other territories will have you have to pay 10 to 12 euros for the access ticket, depending on your age.
(...)

[Mike88]

Census update:

As of this afternoon, 2,805,495 households have returned their Census, totalizing almost 7 million people, 6,954,575.

However, it's still unclear if the recent report that INE ended the contract with the security company of the website, is hurting the return of Census questionnaires.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

1. When will the full results of this 2021 Portuguese Census be released to the public?

2. That new pedestrian bridge in Arouca looks amazing and gorgeous. However it's a shame that there is a ticket to pay to use it.

[Mike88]

1. When will the full results of this 2021 Portuguese Census be released to the public?

2. That new pedestrian bridge in Arouca looks amazing and gorgeous. However it's a shame that there is a ticket to pay to use it.

1. The first preliminary results will be presented, according to INE, during July/August 2021. It will be mainly the number of residents in the country, number of houses and population by district, regions, municipalities and parishes. Religion data may also be released, not sure about that. After that, the full results will be published during 2022, with the provisional data in March 2022 and the final in October 2022.

2. Arouca City hall needs funding.

[Mike88]

The INE could be screwed because of this whole "Census debacle":

INE could be punished with a fine up to 20 million euros:

https://twitter.com/expresso/status/1387522204112461826

Statistics Portugal can be punished with a fine of up to € 20 million if the Data Protection Commission opens a case

Sensitive data from six million Portuguese people were under the momentary and exclusive control of the North American company Cloudflare in the connections established with INE, claims the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD). Law provides for exemption from fines for public entities but in this case there is a nuance that makes all the difference. (...)

The Data Protection commission could open a case about this at any moment, but the damage seems to be already done. The security company in question, Cloudflare, says they never sent the Census data to the USA and say they are ready to challenge the Data Protection Commission in Court.

However, some data specialists are saying the Data Protection decision is ridiculous and could open a serious precedent as other government websites, like the Finances and Election results ones, use similar protections. At the meantime, the INE Census website is without protection and very vulnerable to attacks.

[Mike88]

Lithium exploration project set to be abandoned in Montalegre, Vila Real district:

https://twitter.com/POLITICOEurope/status/1387431794308489218

MONTALEGRE, Portugal — Lisbon is set to cancel a contentious lithium mining project in the northern Montalegre region, Portugal's environment minister told POLITICO.

"At this moment I see the possibility of having a lithium mine in Montalegre as very unlikely," João Pedro Matos Fernandes said Tuesday.

The EU is trying to set up an independent stream of crucial raw materials to ensure it's not dependent on third countries. It imports almost all of its lithium — a key ingredient in the batteries used to power electric vehicles. The European Commission estimates that demand for lithium will grow 18 times by 2030 and 60 times by 2050. That's set off a race to open mines in Europe, with projects being eyed in Finland, Spain, Serbia, the Czech Republic and Austria, as well as Portugal.

The Montalegre project's concession license will be "rejected due to a lack of professionalism" on the part of LusoRecursos, the company awarded a government exploration contract in 2019, Matos Fernandes said. He said the company submitted a "clearly insufficient" environmental impact study, and added that it won't be long before "that license is completely canceled."

Informed about the scheme's impending cancellation, an incredulous LusoRecursos CEO Ricardo Pinheiro said his company would bring a "nice lawsuit in the courts."

The minister's comments signal the end of one of Lisbon's signature raw material schemes, just one week before the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the EU hosts a conference on green mining.

A bit expected this outcome as judicial authorities are also investigating this exploration deal by LusoRecursos as this company is chaired by a PS parish president in Montalegre and the headquarters is, or was, in the same parish building controlled by the PS.

[Mike88]

Census update:

As of this evening, 3,026,001 households have returned their Census questionnaires, totalizing 7,509,633 residents.

The deadline to submit questionnaires is in 4 days, May 3rd.

[Mike88]

1st quarter GDP: Economy falls -3.3% compared with the 4th quarter of 2020, and -5.4% compared with the 1st quarter of 2020.

https://twitter.com/ECO_PT/status/1388048700820365312

GDP falls 3.3% at the start of 2021 at the expense of the new lockdown.

The second lockdown had a lesser impact than the first, but it still affected the Portuguese economy. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) quick estimate released this Friday, GDP contracted 3.3% in the first quarter in a chain (compared to the fourth quarter of 2020). In year-on-year terms, compared to the first quarter of 2020 (which has already been affected by the pandemic), the fall was 5.4%.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, GDP had grown 0.2% in chain, completing a second half of the economic recovery, and fell 6.1% year on year. In the year as a whole, the Portuguese economy fell 7.6%, the biggest drop in the history of Portuguese democracy. The Government's expectation is that GDP will recover 4% in 2021, benefiting from a strong recovery from the second quarter onwards.

“The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in real terms, registered a year-on-year change of -5.4% in the first quarter of 2021 (-6.1% in the previous quarter), reflecting the effects of the general confinement enacted at the beginning of this year due to the worsening of the Covid-19 pandemic ”, reveals the statistics office, noting that“ the evolution in year-on-year terms is influenced by a base effect, since, for the first time, the comparison focuses on a quarter already affected by the pandemic in the last month (March 2020) ”.
(...)

[Tender Branson]

More Portuguese have now responded on their own to the Census than Americans last year.

Even more than MN, which was the best-responding state.

[Mike88]

More Portuguese have now responded on their own to the Census than Americans last year.

Even more than MN, which was the best-responding state.

The INE sent around 4,500,000 letters with codes, and of those 69% have returned their Census, so far, However, some codes may be from 2nd or 3rd houses that people own and will not be counted, as no one lives permanently in them. They expect to have around 85-90% by Monday evening.

[Mike88]

Census update:

As of this Saturday afternoon, 3,270,409 households have returned their Census questionnaires, totalizing 8,134,954 residents.

[Mike88]

Census update:

With about 24 hours before the deadline to submit the Census questionnaires, 3,483,938 households have returned their Census questionnaires, totalizing 8,689,741 residents.

Of the 4,5 million letters with codes sent by INE, the return rate is currently at 77.42%. In terms of population, 84.33% of the estimated population is already counted.

[Mike88]

Police investigating suspicions of human trafficking and slavery in Odemira, Beja, which could be linked with the current Covid outbreak in the region:

https://twitter.com/observadorpt/status/1389129063671996416

PJ is investigating allegations of illegal immigration, trafficking and slavery in Odemira.

The Judiciary Police is collecting evidence to investigate allegations of crimes of illegal immigration, human trafficking and slavery in Odemira, where two parishes are in a cordon sanitaire because of the high incidence of cases of infection by the coronavirus.

According to Público, who released this news on Sunday, the crimes are being committed by "small networks". Odemira is an intensive farming municipality, famous for the raspberry harvest, where immigrants who live in precarious conditions work.

Alberto Matos, leader of Solim, an association for the defense of immigrants' rights, told Público that the institution has already complained of situations in which the contractor retains the worker's documents and prevents him from accessing the Foreigners and Borders Service to ask for authorization residence, for example.

José Alberto Guerreiro, Mayor of Odemira, had already told SIC TV that he himself had already reported crimes of this nature two years ago and that he had already been heard by the PJ. But the authorities told Público that the ongoing investigation has nothing to do with the mayor's complaints.
(...)

[Mike88]

Census update:

The deadline to return questionnaires ended at midnight. As of that time, 3,728,929 households responded to the Census, totalizing 9,326,458 inhabitants. This number will probably increase in the next few hours as another update is expected.

Until the end of the month, INE will contact people who didn't return their questionnaires during the last two weeks. People will still be able to respond via internet or phone, or receive a personal visit from a Census volunteer. In terms of return rates, Madeira is the region with highest return rates, 90%+, while Lisbon metro area has the lowest, 70%.