Stories from Lisbon · Portugal

António Costa, currently President of the European Council, responded to ongoing influence peddling investigations by stating he only knows what has been reported in the media. The response follows the 2023 government collapse linked to an operation.

Sporting player Cabri Martínez will miss tomorrow's Europa League match against Freiburg due to a muscular problem. The Spanish player was unable to join the squad, according to the report.

The Governor of the Bank of Portugal announced on Wednesday that he will donate capital gains from the sale of shares acquired during his mandate to a social responsibility institution. The governor intends to donate the capital gains from investments in companies such as Galpina to a social solidarity institution. The Banco de Portugal revealed in a statement that Governor Alvaro Santos Pereira purchased shares in Neste Leira and Navigator in January. The statement noted he also reinforced his positions in these companies during that period. The Ethics Committee of the European Central Bank informed the Governor of the Bank of Portugal that the acquisition of shares, including those in non-financial companies, was not permitted. Consequently, the Governor must divest from these holdings.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that labor reform will be proposed to the Assembly of the Republic. During a debate, Montenegro indicated that the reform would only proceed if the government lowers the national retirement age.

The Lisbon City Council approved a document to establish an interpretive center dedicated to the April 25 revolution. The council's decision follows a motion by the PS regarding intentions by Minister of the Presidency Leitão Amaro to reconfigure or abandon the project in the capital. He noted that several locations are being made available to the session president. However, Moedas did not rule out the possibility of the center being located in another municipality within the Lisbon metropolitan area. The project remains a subject of controversy. Political discussions are underway regarding the installation of the April 25th Interpretive Center in Lisbon. A protocol established in January 2024 for the center's installation appears to be at risk of not being implemented. Local political motions are calling for explanations from the City Council to ensure the center remains in Lisbon.

EDP is offering companies a 50% discount on electricity for the first month. The company will also provide a 25% discount until the end of the year. The source noted this is a benefit for approximately 100 business entities. This initiative aims to support hundreds of businesses, including bakeries and shoe repair shops.

Pinto faced 241 charges, including 201 counts of qualified illegitimate access, aggravated correspondence violation, and computer damage.

A court reading regarding the 'Football X' case took place at the Lisbon Criminal Center. A collective of judges unanimously stated that Rui Pinto was a victim of judicial system arbitrariness. This follows a previous case in September 2023 where Pinto received a four-year suspended sentence. The court criticized the prosecution's conduct in this second trial. The judges stated that the prosecution violated the right to defense and exercised criminal action in a manner incompatible with the Portuguese Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. He is facing a second trial involving 241 separate crimes. The specific nature of the charges was not detailed in the broadcast. The defense stated that Pinto collaborated with Portuguese justice and provided elements for his own incrimination.

António José Seguro defended the end of the unanimity rule for certain European Union decision-making processes during the closing of the Atlantic Link Forum. The forum took place at the Fundação Carlos Colbenquien. Seguro stated that the world is no longer as it used to be.

A report released on April 22 indicates that Portugal was one of four OECD countries where the weight of taxes and contributions on salary income decreased in 2024 and 2025. The increase affects workers who are currently participating in strikes.