🇵🇹 Portugal's politics and elections 3.0

[Mike88]

Another one.

GfK/Metris/ICS/ISCTE poll for Expresso newspaper/SIC TV:

Vote share %:

31% PS (nc)
25% PSD (-5)
13% CHEGA (nc)
  6% BE (+1)
  6% CDU (+1)
  3% IL (-1)
  2% PAN (nc)
  1% Livre (+1)
  2% CDS (+1)
  2% Others (-1)
  8% Blank/Invalid (+3)

Popularity ratings: (between 0 and 10)

6.6 Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (+0.1)
4.6 António Costa (-0.2)
3.8 Mariana Mortágua (new)
3.6 Luís Montenegro (-0.3)
3.1 Rui Tavares (-0.2)
2.9 André Ventura (-0.1)
2.9 Paulo Raimundo (-0.3)
2.8 Rui Rocha (-0.4)
2.7 Inês Sousa Real (-0.6)
2.7 Nuno Melo (nc)

Government's approval:

66% Bad/Very bad (-5)
28% Good/Very good (+3)
  6% Undecided (+2)

Poll conducted between 16 and 25 September 2023. Polled 804 voters. MoE of 3.50%.

[Mike88]

2024 budget presented this afternoon:

https://twitter.com/SICNoticias/status/1711757359020728527

The Minister of Finance stated this Tuesday that the Budget proposal for 2024 presents an increase in income, with an "important" reduction in the IRS, a reinforcement of public investment and responses for citizens with greater difficulties.

This position was conveyed by Fernando Medina after delivering the Government's State Budget proposal for 2024 to the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Augusto Santos Silva.

Fernando Medina, Finance minister, presented this afternoon the draft 2024 budget that was submited to Parliament. The government projects that the Portuguese economy will "cool down" in 2024, with just a 1.5% growth in GDP, but the share of national debt in GDP is expected to drop bellow 100%, the last time was in 2009. Income tax cuts for taxpayers earning up to 1,939 euros per month were also announced, while indirect taxes are expected to grow 8.9%. Overall, the main policies in the budget are the following:

- GDP growth of 1.5% in 2024;
- A 0.2% surplus and Public Debt in share of GDP is forecast to drop bellow 100%, to 98.9%;
- Inflation forecast at 2.9% in 2024;
- Public spending to reach 123 billion euros in 2024;
- Income tax cuts up to the 5th IRS bracket, up to 1,939 euros per month, between 1.25% and 3.5%, worth 1.7 billion euros;
- Indirect taxes to increase 8.9%, around 3 billion euros;
- Tax burden to reach a record 38%;
- Public employees wage increase of 3% during 2024;
- Businesses that increase wages more than 5% can give an additional wage to workers tax free;
- Businesses who give in affordable housing to workers, are free from Social Security taxes;
- Unemployment forecat at 6.7%, the same as in 2023;
- Minimum wage increase to 820 euros in 2024, an increase of 60 euros;
- Pension increases between 6% and 6.5% in 2024, worth 2.2 billion euros;

Other policies were also announced: 0% VAT on basic products will end in 2024; The controversial windfall tax on extra profits will cease to exist; The also controversial budget captivations will also end as ministries will have more freedom to manage money, however, there are doubts about its applicability. Taxes for cars prior to 2007 will also increase, which will affect around 3 million cars.

Party reactions were as expected, only the PS applauded the budget while the Opposition "trashed it": PSD criticizes the increase of the tax burden and the lack of public investement; CHEGA says the budget is "electoralist", adding it only has patches and no strategy for the country; IL accused Medina of lying because taxes will go up in 2024; PCP says that budget will "throw" workers and pensioners to poverty, adding that there are no solutions for the country's main problems; BE accuses the Government of lack of sensibility, pressing that the Portuguese will continue to lose purchasing power; PAN says that the tax cuts are "an illusion" and the tax system isn't green friendly; Livre says the budget is worse than the "Geringonça" ones. The PS was the only one defending the budget saying they heard "little criticisms" from the Opposition and expect many votes in favour of the budget.

[Mike88]

Funny thing from the 2024 budget draft:

Many are finding out that in the budget report, the Government failed, or not , in estimating how much the State will spend in some areas, like for example housing, and instead wrote XX or YY.

https://twitter.com/speraltalisboa/status/1712014513824829580

OE24 report, page 51. With XX million in public housing, XX in education and YY in territorial cohesion, public investment in 2024 will be booming. Hold on.

Priceless.

[Mike88]

Some updates:

- PS and PSD are exchanging "pleasantries" regarding the 2024 budget. PSD leader Luís Montenegro labeled the budget as "pipi", which upset the PS, which in exchange accused Montenegro of "political dyslexia". Pundits, however, are criticizing Montenegro for the bad taste in his comment;

- The Israeli-Hamas conflict is having an impact in Portuguese politics mainly because of the positions of BE and PCP regarding Hamas. Both parties condemn the attacks, but accuse also Israel and don't call out Hamas as a terrorist organization. This escalated after Lisbon mayor Carlos Moedas (PSD) accused BE and PCP of being racist and for supporting "terrorist organizations that decapitate babies". BE is furious at Moedas and is accusing the Mayor of lying and of not being up for the job;

[Mike88]

PSD becomes, once again, impatient with Montenegro and is already thinking on who's next:

https://twitter.com/observadorpt/status/1712575627033821639

Montenegro irritates passistas. “He will eat the bread that the devil kneaded”

The last few weeks have been a disaster for Luís Montenegro. After a summer in which he seemed to be riding high, it was all a "mirage". Recent polls, take them with a huge grain of salt, show that the party is losing ground and adding to this the Madeira fiasco, the "Passos Coelho remark" and the "Pipi budget" comment, many within the PSD are infuriated with the leader. The ghost of Passos Coelho still haunts the party, even though Passos has been in hibernation for the last 5 years and very rarely speaks or takes a stand, but, as many become more and more exasperated with Montenegro, and basically concede that the European elections are a lost cause, the tiring anouncement of the "Return of Passos" is back. Adding to this, Lisbon mayor Carlos Moedas is also making "subtle" moves, to say the least, for the leadership, even though he's basically trapped in Lisbon until 2025 and, as of now, has a good chance of being reelected.

We'll see what happens in the PSD, but there are 3 certain things in life: Death, Taxes and the PSD existential dramas.

[Mike88]

More data from the Aximage poll for TVI/CNN Portugal: (compared with the July poll)

Preferred PM:

26% António Costa (-11)
22% Luís Montenegro (+2)
39% Neither (+1)
  6% Both (+4)
  7% Undecided (+4)

PM Costa approval:

52% Bad/Very bad (+2)
25% Average (+9)
20% Good/Very good (-11)
  3% Undecided (nc)

President Marcelo approval:

34% Good/Very good (-19)
33% Average (+15)
30% Bad/Very bad (+3)
  3% Undecided (+1)

Poll conducted between 2 and 5 October 2023. Polled 601 voters. MoE of 4.00%.

Note: Poll conducted before the budget presentation.

[Mike88]

2024 budget updates:

- Basically all Oppostion parties will vote against the budget. CHEGA, IL, BE and PCP already announced their rejection to the budet and he latest to announce its position was the PSD, which is continuing to receice criticisms because of the budget reaction. The "pipi budget" comment is still haunting Montenegro, but today, the PSD leader changed his tone and criticized the leveling from below of the middle class by the PS government, criticized the lack of economic strategy and policy on the budget and also criticized the increase in indirect taxes;

- The same indirect taxes are creating a big backlash. One of the taxes to be increased is the "Car tax", the single circulation tax to be precise, for cars prior to 2007. The issue is that this will affect more than 3 million cars and in a lot of cases the tax could surge 400%. For example, a 2005 car with 900 of cylinder capacity now pays 19 euros in tax, but in 2024 it will pay almost 100 euros. An online petition against the tax is already near 200,000 signatures and many accuse the government of punishing poorer people with this tax increase. The government, on their part, says that the tax will "solve ongoing injustices" and follows "environmental requirements" by promoting the renewal of cars and decarbonization;

- Also, former Infrastructures minister Pedro Nuno Santos has started his weekly pundit show on SIC Notícias and despite his assurance that he's not thinking in the PS leadership, his words say otherwise. He says that he preferes to increase spending rather than to cut taxes, that the State should maintain their majority in TAP airlines, and that even though the debt decrease is positive, he would "do differently" and would spend more on doctors and teachers in order to "make amends" with them. Or in other words, the complete opposite of what Costa is doing. If this isn't "running" for the leadership, I don't know what it is ;

[Mike88]

Return of biweekly PM Q&A debates: Debate marked by the 2024 draft budget and TAP airlines.

https://twitter.com/cnnportugal/status/1714718123402698909

Pedro Nuno Santos forced António Costa to correct a statement, while a promise for the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April fell apart.

After a 3-year interruption, biweekly PM Q&A debates returned to Parliament. The debate was marked by the government's 2024 draft budget, Costa's "contradictions" on TAP and the NHS and housing crisis. The Opposition criticized the budget for having "little credibility" and that it gives with one hand and takes with the other. CHEGA's Ventura even labeled it as the "swipe budget", which created a bad reaction from Costa. On his part, Costa accused the Opposition of being clueless, that the "devil" (meaning recession) didn't appear and that the rightwing is just "jealous".The housing crisis was brought up and Costa was forced to admit that his promise of 196,000 new houses by the 50th anniversary of the 1974 revolution will not happen and he blamed Covid for that. He was also forced to "retract" a statement he made regarding TAP airlines and its privatization. In a previous debate, he told MPs that TAP had to be privatize no matter what, as it was written in the airline's EU bailout package. But, Pedro Nuno Santos said, in his new pundit show, that Costa didn't told the truth and that privatization was not mandatory, thus, in the debate, Costa was forced to say he had misled MPs. Regarding the controversial increase of the single circulation tax, Costa said that he had to make a choice, so he cut income taxes and increased the tax.

[Mike88]

After the Environment minister 3 weeks ago, now it was Finance minister Fernando Medina to be "attacked" by climate activists:

https://twitter.com/politicanatuga/status/1715404081676554593

After the attack, Medina jocked that "At least I have a supporter for raising the IUC" (single circulation tax). The climate activist that threw green paint against the minister was arrested, as well other protestors that were at the venue.

The same single circulation tax increase which is becoming more and more unpopular, with the online petition against it approaching 300,000 signatures and counting, a record high. In the PS, many are also fearful of the social impacts of this tax increase and are asking for changes, but, so far, Costa is irreducible.

[Mike88]

NHS crisis: Government and Unions meet this week to find some kind of agreement as there are warnings of "catastrophe" during November.

https://twitter.com/observadorpt/status/1716920339412718010

Will November be the "worst month" in the history of the NHS? Without agreement, doctors anticipate "catastrophe"

In an interview to Público newspaper, NHS CEO Fernando Araújo warned that if a deal isn't reached between the Government and Doctors, the NHS will face the "worst crisis in 44 years" and advised doctors to claim their rights, but in an "ethically irreproachable" manner. This latter reference is upseting doctors unions and it puts more preassure for the meeting between the Government and Doctors, this Friday, after months of "war" between both sides. The NHS is facing a lack of staff crisis with emergency services being highly dependent of doctors doing overtime shifts, but a "wave" of overtime shifts dismissals is making emergency services across the country to close down and things are expected to get worse if somekind of deal isn't reached. A quick deal isn't expected and doctors are now blaming the Government for not planning or preventing for the winter.

Unions demand that doctors work 35 hours per week, higher wages and better working conditions. The government seems to be conceding to the unions, but, doctors still accuse the government of proposing just "supports" and no structural wage and career changes. The issue is that even if the unions demands are meet, the problem would persist as it would be necessary to fill in the hours with new doctors that the NHS has failed to attract in the last few years, who either go to the private sector or emigrate. A complicated situation.

[Mike88]

CHEGA local member in Braga city arrested by the police for drug traffic and illegal possession of weapons:

https://twitter.com/dntwit/status/1717118090440507886

Chega municipal member in Braga detained for alleged trafficking of prohibited substances

A member of the municipal assembly of Braga from CHEGA, Sérgio Júnior, was arrested by the police due to an investigation around the traffic of illegal susbtances, mainly doping substances, in the gym he owned. Júnior, of Brazilian nationality, was also caught with illegal possession of weapons, a pistol, an extendable baton, a brass knuckle and an electric weapon. The CHEGA member will be presented to a judge this afternoon. CHEGA has yet to comment this case in Braga and is collecting all the info available in order to make an official statement. This is just another episode of CHEGA's "debacle" in local government.

[Mike88]

Intercampus poll for CMTV and CM/Negócios newspapers:

Vote share %: (after 7.7% of undecideds are excluded)

27.9% PSD (-0.7)
27.3% PS (-2.7)
12.7% CHEGA (-0.1)
  9.0% IL (-0.3)
  7.3% BE (+0.9)
  4.4% CDU (+0.1)
  3.5% PAN (+1.4)
  1.7% CDS (+0.9)
  1.5% Livre (-0.8 )
  4.7% Others/Invalid (+1.3)

Popularity ratings: (between 1 and 5)

2.8 Rui Rocha (+0.1)
2.8 Mariana Mortágua (+0.1)
2.8 Rui Tavares (+0.1)
2.7 Inês Sousa Real (+0.2)
2.6 Luís Montenegro (-0.2)
2.5 Nuno Melo (+0.1)
2.4 António Costa (-0.2)
2.3 Paulo Raimundo (nc)
2.2 André Ventura (nc)

Poll conducted between 18 and 23 October 2023. Polled 604 voters. MoE of 4.00%.

[Mike88]

(...)
Regarding rents, he said that any kind of rent limit will not follow the 2% limit imposed this year, but didn't say much about it.
(...)

Government announces no rent limits in 2024 and will only support families with difficulties:

https://twitter.com/ECO_PT/status/1717544593485361587

Rents without brakes in 2024. Government approves 4.94% support for tenants

Rents in Portugal are set to increase almost 7%, 6.94% to be precise, for the majority of tenants after the government's decision of not imposing any rent limits like it did during 2023. The 2023 rent limit decision was very controversial and created a "war" between landlords and the government, which resulted in new rent contracts increasing 30% in costs and less houses on the market. Next year, the government will pay 5%, of the 7% increase, of rents for families in difficulties, but, of the 920,000 rent contracts in Portugal, this will only reach around 200,000 contracts. Tax deductions for rents will also increase. In reaction, landlords associations applaud the decision, while tenants expected the decision but demand more supports. Parties on the leftwing are "trashing" the government for the decision, and are calling on people to go to the streets in protest, while on the rightwing only the Liberals, so far, reacted by supporting the decision.

[Mike88]

Government proposes privatization of at least 51% of TAP airlines:

President Marcelo vetoes the TAP privatization bill and wants more details from the Government:

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has vetoed and sent back to the Government the bill that will kick start the "messy" privatization of TAP airlines. In his note to the press, the President says that the bill lacks transparency and that he found several points that generate big doubts. The President wants to know how much the State will be able to influence, or not, a privately owned TAP, how will the sale and/or acquisition of assets happen before the privatization and the President wants assurances that the privatization process is exempt and not biased towards a particular side. The President adds that before his veto, he asked the Government for more info but that the responses given weren't satisfactory. PM Costa's office has released a statement saying that they will ponder the President's worries.

[Mike88]

Aximage poll for JN/DN newspapers and TSF radio:

Vote share %:

28.6% PS (-0.2)
24.9% PSD (-2.8 )
14.6% CHEGA (+1.6)
  7.1% BE (-0.9)
  6.7% IL (+1.5)
  4.8% PAN (+1.0)
  3.8% CDU (+0.6)
  2.9% Livre (+0.2)
  1.6% CDS (+0.5)
  5.0% Others/Invalid (-1.5)

Preferred PM:

34% António Costa (-3)
20% Luís Montenegro (nc)
40% Neither (+2)
  1% Both (-1)
  5% Undecided (+2)

Popularity ratings: (difference between Approve and Disapprove)

Rui Tavares -1.0
Rui Rocha -8.0
Mariana Mortágua -16.0
Inês Sousa Real -18.0
Nuno Melo -23.0
André Ventura -27.0
António Costa -27.0
Luís Montenegro -33.0
Paulo Raimundo -35.0

Government approval:

56% Disapprove (+2)
25% Approve (-1)
17% Neither approve or disapprove (+1)
  2% Undecided (-2)

President Marcelo approval:

44% Approve (-9)
34% Disapprove (+7)
21% Neither approve or disapprove (+3)
  1% Undecided (-1)

Poll conducted between 18 and 24 October 2023. Polled 805 voters. MoE of 3.50%.

[Mike88]

NHS crisis: Government and Unions meet this week to find some kind of agreement as there are warnings of "catastrophe" during November.

Still no deal between Unions and the Government after a "marathon" of meetings this weekend:

https://twitter.com/SICNoticias/status/1718879681020314086

Meeting between unions and Minister of Health ends again without agreement

After a 2-hour meeting on Friday and 10-hour meeting, yesterday, which only ended at two in the morning, Doctors unions and the Government are still searching for an agreement. A last minute chance to reach a deal will be held Tuesday. On Friday, Unions were quite hopeful in somekind of deal, but when they received the government's proposal on the early hours of Sunday, their fury increased. Sunday's meeting was very tense but Unions seem to have been sucesseful in forcing the government to accept a 35-hour work week and a 12-hour emergency shift. Wage increases are still the big dispute between unions and the government.

Manuel Pizarro, Health minister, says that "significant steps" were made and that he's very optimistic about a deal. But, will it be enough to calm down the mood within NHS staff? Unlikely, as many doctors are telling the media that even with a deal, many of them will not return to their extra hours shifts as the mood is very extreme. Not to mention that if doctors are in this complicated negotiation, NHS nurses will start a 2-month strike, also during extra hours shifts, demanding higher wages.

[Mike88]

2024 draft budget approved: Taxes, TAP airlines and the NHS crisis in center stage during the debate.

https://twitter.com/RTPNoticias/status/1719474337084854551

PAN and Livre abstained and the remaining opposition voted against, criticizing the tax burden and the drop in income.

As expected, nothing new from the 2024 budget discussion. The PS majority approved, alone, the budget with PAN and Livre abstaining and the rest of the Opposition voting against. Costa and the PS used Passos Coelho to attack the PSD, while the PSD used Pedro Nuno Santos in order to attack Costa. In fact, the sole surprise from the debate was Costa's 3rd U-turn regarding TAP airlines privatization in just one month: First, TAP privatization was an EU demand, then it wasn't and now it will only be privatized if Lisbon's Hub and the company's strategic interests prevail. This surprised pundits and even Pedro Nuno Santos disagreed with Costa saying that if this is the case, then TAP will never be privatized, trashing also Costa's stance that TAP's price is the last thing in his mind. The Opposition used the TAP issue to criticize the government, going then to taxes in which both sides clashed regarding the increase of the tax burden: The Government says it's because of the increase in jobs and wages, while the Opposition says it comes all from indirect taxes. The ongoing NHS crisis, with shortages of staff and closure of services, was a tense topic, with the Government defending their reforms on the NHS and announcing contracts with social hospitals in order to have more doctors. The Opposition criticized the chaos in the NHS and that the Government is just betting on the "exhaustion of doctors" in order to close the case. The debate closed with disgraced minister João Galamba making the government's closing arguments (a provocation towards President Marcelo?). In the end, the budget vote was the following:

119 In favour (PS)
106 Against (PSD, CHEGA, IL, PCP, BE)
    2 Abstention (PAN, Livre)
    3 Absent (2 PSD, 1 PS)

[Mike88]

President Marcelo had a quite tense and awkward exchange of words with the Palestinian representative in Portugal, with Marcelo saying that it was someone on "your" side that started:

https://twitter.com/Renascenca/status/1720516515307425927

“This time it was you who started it,” says Marcelo, the Palestinian diplomat.

The President of the Republic was involved in an exchange of arguments with Nabil Abuznaid, representative of the Palestinian Authority in Portugal, this Friday, at the Diplomatic Bazaar.

President Marcelo visited the annual diplomatic bazar in Lisbon and while there he bumped into with the Palestinian representative in Portugal, Nabil Abuznaid. The conversation, all in english, started well with an exchange of gifts and Marcelo saying that Palestine needs to be moderate in order to become a state. But, then, Marcelo said radicalism leads to more radicalism, and that this time the radicalism started from the part of some Palestinians. Mr. Abuznaid said that's not an excuse for Israel's reaction, which he pressed was brutal, in which Marcelo replied that "I know you blame Israel, but this time it was someone on your side that started", adding that they shouldn't have. President Marcelo then terminated immediately the tense exchange of words with a "We'll see".

In other news:

- The NHS crisis continues as no deal, so far, between the Government and Doctors has been reached. Around 1/3 of public hospitals, 38 to be precise, have 90% of services limited and/or unavailable due to lack of staff and doctors who refuse to do overtime shifts. Doctors unions will have another meeting with the Government this weekend, the 4th in just one week, in order to reach a final deal. As of now, the main dispute between both sides is wage increases: Doctors want 30%, the Government says they can only give 5%;

- The re-privatization of a major energy company in the Porto area, EFACEC, is creating controversy. In 2020, after Isabel dos Santos, daughter of Angola's former President and the then main shareholder in the company, was accused by the Public Prosecutor of corruption crimes and had her assets frozen in Portugal, the government bought almost 72% of shares of the company, thus nationalizing it and injecting 200 million euros. The government planned a short-term re-privitazation, but it dragged on and on, with possible buyers giving up. In mid this year, 2023, it was announced that a German fund would buy it, for 75 million euros, but the State would still have to inject an additional 160 million euros. Economy minister, Costa e Silva, said that the sale was "a happy day for the Portuguese economy", adding that they saved the company and thousands of jobs. But, the amount of money spent and that now seems lost, and the "sketchy" way the deal was made, is making many, left to right, to say this was a "ruinous deal" for the State. Even President Marcelo noted that the Government created expectations, regarding the sale, that they couldn't meet;

[Mike88]

(...)there is the possibility of an early election in the Azores in January/February 2024. This election is scheduled for October 2024, but the current PSD/CDS/PPM government lost its majority last March when IL "jumped ship" and the 2024 budget approval is in doubt. Curiously, PAN could also be the "savior" of the PSD in the Azores. We'll see.
(...)

In Azores, it looks more and more likely that the 2024 regional budget will be rejected and snap elections could be on the "horizon":

- IL has "consummated" their divorce with the PSD coalition and has announced their vote against the budget. PAN, on the other hand, has announced it will abstain, while CHEGA and the dissident CHEGA MP have yet to announce their position regarding the budget;

- The PSD coalition government has reacted to the possible budget rejection by saying they have no intention in resigning if the budget fails. They say that they have a "responsability posture" and that the regional government would carry on in its functions;

- However, if the budget does fail, there could be a motion of no confidence, and, if that succeeds, then snap elections would be held during the first trimester of 2024. We'll see;

[Mike88]

President Marcelo had a quite tense and awkward exchange of words with the Palestinian representative in Portugal, with Marcelo saying that it was someone on "your" side that started:
(...)

After the controversial exchange of arguments with the Palestinian representative, President Marcelo decided... to go to a pro-Palestinian rally and talk with protestors:

https://twitter.com/jm_jonet/status/1721221549364060299

President Marcelo waited for protestors in front of the Presidential Palace and when they arrived, Marcelo decided to "speak" to them. Of course, the protestors weren't happy to see him there and accused him of speaking to much, of acting like a commentator and not a President and for being an embarrassment. Marcelo tried to talk to everyone and explain what he meant, that he's against terrorism and in favour of a Palestinian State.

President Marcelo who is, "allegedly", involved in another, and weird, case. TVI showed a report, last Friday, in which President Marcelo is accused by doctors of the biggest hospital in the country, Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, of allegedly pulling the strings for a Luso-Brazilian couple with twin daughters that have a rare illness, in order to take, each, a 2 million euro drug at the hospital. An audio of the twins mother shows her bragging that she used her "contacts" with the President's daughter-in-law, who then reached the Health minister and so on. This case created a lot of fury in the hospital as doctors didn't want to give the drug to the twins as it wouldn't solve anything, and in the corridors of the hospital, the report says, doctors "point" at Marcelo. This gets more mysterious because every single document regarding the stay of the twins at the hospital has vanished. Marcelo has reacted by saying that did no such thing nor did he "talked" with anyone, adding that if someone accuses him directly, he could go to the Courts.

(...)
The same single circulation tax increase which is becoming more and more unpopular, with the online petition against it approaching 300,000 signatures and counting, a record high. In the PS, many are also fearful of the social impacts of this tax increase and are asking for changes, but, so far, Costa is irreducible.

Also, today, protests against the controversial, and unpopular, rise of the of the single circulation tax (IUC) for cars prior to 2007, were held across the country, with cars going on slow and loud horn marches in the downtowns of the major cities, which basically blocked traffic:

https://twitter.com/nelsonvieira17/status/1721225957942477278
https://twitter.com/SICNoticias/status/1721291708669866424

This Sunday, thousands of people participated in honking horns marches against the increase in the Single Road Tax. Horns and slow motions congested streets and avenues in 11 cities from North to South of the country.

[Flyersfan232]

any update on the up coming eu elections???

[Mike88]

any update on the up coming eu elections???

As of now, very little. There's some discussion on what kind of consequences the EU election results could have in the main parties, but other than that there's only speculation on who will be the main candidates: In the PS there's talk of Ana Catarina Mendes, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, as the most probable top candidate; The PSD is a big doubt as no one has a clear idea on who their top candidate could be; The same happens with CHEGA, while in IL there's talk of former leader João Cotrim Figueiredo; Former leader Catarina Martins is a possibility for BE, while João Ferreira seems poised to be the Communist's candidate again; No clue regarding Livre and PAN.

[Flyersfan232]

any update on the up coming eu elections???

As of now, very little. There's some discussion on what kind of consequences the EU election results could have in the main parties, but other than that there's only speculation on who will be the main candidates: In the PS there's talk of Ana Catarina Mendes, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, as the most probable top candidate; The PSD is a big doubt as no one has a clear idea on who their top candidate could be; The same happens with CHEGA, while in IL there's talk of former leader João Cotrim Figueiredo; Former leader Catarina Martins is a possibility for BE, while João Ferreira seems poised to be the Communist's candidate again; No clue regarding Livre and PAN.

quick off topic question but did the that monarchist in be survive 2022 election?

[Mike88]

Big development this morning: PM Costa's office and other ministers offices' were raided by the Police. Costa's Chief of Staff was arrested. Costa is also suspect of corruption.

https://twitter.com/expresso/status/1721869801646162354

Government investigated: Costa is a suspect and will be the subject of an investigation by the Supreme Court, there are suspicions of active and passive corruption

This morning is being marked by a big police raid in the offices of PM Costa and other ministers, plus other sites, due to a corruption investigation surrounding the lithium and hydrogen deals signed by Costa's government back in 2019. Costa's Chief of Staff, Vítor Escária, has been arrested, as well Costa's so called "best friend", and close advisor, Lacerda Machado. Sines City Hall, controlled by the PS, where some of the investement will be made, was also visited by the police. The Public Prosecutor says that they are investigating crimes of malfeasance, corruption and influence peddling. The Prosecutor adds that PM Costa is also suspect of corruption and an inquest on him will be made by the Supreme Court.

More updates when available.

[oldtimer]

Big development this morning: PM Costa's office and other ministers offices' were raided by the Police. Costa's Chief of Staff was arrested. Costa is also suspect of corruption.

https://twitter.com/expresso/status/1721869801646162354

Government investigated: Costa is a suspect and will be the subject of an investigation by the Supreme Court, there are suspicions of active and passive corruption

This morning is being marked by a big police raid in the offices of PM Costa and other ministers, plus other sites, due to a corruption investigation surrounding the lithium and hydrogen deals signed by Costa's government back in 2019. Costa's Chief of Staff, Vítor Escária, has been arrested, as well Costa's so called "best friend", and close advisor, Lacerda Machado. Sines City Hall, controlled by the PS, where some of the investement will be made, was also visited by the police. The Public Prosecutor says that they are investigating crimes of malfeasance, corruption and influence peddling. The Prosecutor adds that PM Costa is also suspect of corruption and an inquest on him will be made by the Supreme Court.

More updates when available.

If only the Greek legal system would do that on their PM's and Ministers.

I envy Portugal's legal system.