Stories from Lisbon · Portugal

The Portuguese government will proceed with the restructuring of the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF).

André Ventura admitted he will drop some of the most measures from a constitutional revision to be presented tomorrow. The decision follows debates regarding the impact of certain reforms, which could range from 400 million to 1 billion.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated at a 52nd anniversary event for the PSD that the government will not abandon its proposed labor law package. Montenegro noted that the administration has already signed several agreements with public service unions.

Data from the National Council for Medically Assisted Procreation indicates that 4% of babies born in Portugal are the result of medically assisted procreation. The regulatory body noted a shift in the demographic of those seeking treatment.

FIFA has extended the suspension of Benfica player Jean-Luc Prestiani to include World Cup matches. This decision potentially jeopardizes his call-up to the Argentina national team. The announcement was reported during a segment on Portuguese football officiating.

Benfica is treating the potential departure of coach Jose Mourinho as probable, according to reports from the Spanish newspaper Ás. The reports suggest Mourinho may have already established contact with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.

Banco Comercial Português (BCP) reported a profit of more than 306 million euros during the first quarter of this year. This figure represents a 26 percent increase compared to the previous period. The announcement was made by the bank according to the report.

Portugal's armed forces currently consist of 23,000 military personnel, significantly below the recommended minimum of 33,000. General Gouveia e Melo highlighted difficulties in retaining active-duty military members. The shortage is attributed to recruitment issues and a lack of incentives for personnel to remain in service. This shortage occurs during a period of increased security threats in Europe. The source noted that the current capacity is significantly below what is necessary for the present geopolitical climate.

The CIP, representing employers, has dropped several measures previously considered 'red lines' by the UGT labor union during social consultations on the Labor Code. These withdrawn measures include provisions regarding outsourcing, individual hour banks, reintegration after dismissal, continuous training, and the denunciation of collective agreements. Employer representative Hermínio Monteiro announced the decision. The CIP is now awaiting UGT approval on three remaining employer proposals, including the payment of a fifteenth month's salary in September. The reform of the Labor Code is moving forward in the Portuguese Parliament after a meeting between the Government, employer federations, and trade unions failed to reach an agreement.

A collective of judges presiding over the Operation Marqueixa trial decided to proceed with the hearing scheduled for Wednesday after a one-hour suspension. The decision follows a ruling by the Lisbon Administrative Court regarding a precautionary measure filed by José Sócrates. The measure contested the appointment of a public defender assigned to the former prime minister by the Bar Association. The judicial collective is being led by magistrate Susana Seca. A civil case that began yesterday is resuming today at the Central Criminal Investigation Court in Lisbon, Portugal.