Stories from Portugal

Hundreds of people participated in May Day celebrations organized by the UGT in Oeiras this afternoon. UGT Secretary-General Maio Murão stated that pressures against the labor union have failed. The event occurred as part of the May 1st holiday observances.

The Socialist Party (PS) stated it will take all necessary actions to prevent the government from altering the labor code. Andreaventura claimed the proposed labor package is offensive to young people, female workers, vulnerable groups, and Portuguese families. José Luís Carneiro argued the government should abandon the package as it violates human dignity values. The party's stance follows discussions regarding potential government coalitions with the Chega party. The proposal is expected to move to the Assembly of the Republic for further deliberation. CHEGA is also seeking an inquiry into the 'Influencer' process following recent wiretap disclosures by TVI involving António Costa and Diogo Glacier da Machado. The party described the government's negotiation process as intransigent and indifferent.

Hundreds of people participated in May Day celebrations organized by the UGT union in Aveiro. UGT Secretary-General Mário Morão stated that attempts to pressure, divide, and weaken the union have failed.

The Chega party announced plans to propose a parliamentary inquiry commission regarding Operation Influencer. The request was reported by TSF Notícias. Recent developments suggest former Prime Minister António Costa spoke with Diogo Lacer da Machado regarding the process. Party leader Luiz Montenegro stated that the executive has conceded on several sensitive points, while the current Prime Minister rejected government terms and accused the GT of being the social partner that has conceded the least. The party leader compared the case involving former Prime Minister António Costa to the Spinum Viva case in Montenegro. The probe follows the fall of the Socialist Party government. CNN reports having access to processes and wiretaps suggesting António Costa did not tell the whole truth regarding the case.

The Public Ministry has sent suspicions of billing irregularities to the Tax Authority regarding CEPI NUM VIVA. The Public Prosecutor's Office reportedly sent suspicions regarding billing irregularities at CEPIN1 Viva to tax authorities. The allegations suggest services were billed through CEPIN1 Viva to reduce tax payments for a law firm associated with Luiz Montenegro. However, the Correio da Manhã newspaper report regarding these suspicions was denied during the afternoon. The prosecutor's office noted that the matter may not constitute a tax crime. Allegations published by Correio da Manhã regarding tax irregularities involving Luiz Montenegro's law firm have been denied. The Public Prosecutor's Office issued a note clarifying that the Prime Minister is not a subject of the preventive investigation.

UGT leader Mário Murão stated he will wait for next week's meeting regarding Social Security. Negotiations are expected to proceed to a new round next week. On May 1, political parties including the PS have also commented on the reform, with the PS urging the Prime Minister to drop the proposal. Hundreds of people gathered at Jamor to protest the proposed reforms. CGT leader Sophie Binez criticized the government's focus, stating the current approach lacks sense during the ongoing energy crisis. Binez called for new legislation regarding wages, bonuses, and job protection instead. The Secretary-General claimed the negotiation table was biased toward employers and accused parties of attempting to pressure and divide the central union. He issued a guarantee that the Central Sindical cannot be divided.

UGT Secretary General Mário Morão stated that attempts to pressure or divide the union regarding labor reform have failed. Morão claimed that pressures directed at the central union were unsuccessful. The event included an intervention by Oeiras Mayor Isabel Inomorais.

The CGTP secretary-general demanded a 150 euro wage increase for workers who have not yet received raises. The demand followed a May Day parade in Lisbon involving thousands of people between Martim Moniz and Alameda.

The Porto Municipal Chamber confirmed the holding of the Monumental Serenade on Avenida dos Aliados. The event marks the 'quema das fitas' ceremony. The celebration coincides with a scheduled football match between Porto and Alverga in May.

The Prosecutor General's Office issued a clarification to newsrooms regarding a preventive investigation into CEPINHOM VIVA. This statement was made during an afternoon briefing to clarify previous reports. The investigation remains in a preventive stage. The Public Prosecutor's Office issued a note denying earlier reports that CEPIN On Viva engaged in tax crimes. While the Ministry of Public Prosecution sent suspicions of irregular invoicing to the Tax Authority, they stated it is not understood to be a tax crime. The investigation focuses on whether these fees were billed to affect tax payments. The findings were sent to the Tax Authority for review of potential irregularities. These services were allegedly billed by CEPIN On Viva in a manner intended to reduce tax payments.