Stories from Portugal

The SNS24 digital service has issued nearly 1.5 million self-declarations of illness during its first three years of operation. According to the Ministry of Health's shared services, the service averages approximately 1,350 declarations per day.

The Culture Union has scheduled strikes in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra starting this afternoon. Raimundo stated the labor package is offensive to young people, female workers, and vulnerable families. José Luiz Carneiro, leader of the UPS, published an opinion piece in the newspaper Público. Carneiro called on Luiz Montenegro to end the labor law revision initiative and expressed anticipation regarding government negotiations. The union is demanding rights to housing, health, education, and work with rights. The strike aims to protest the defeat of labor protections and demand better living conditions. The decision depends on whether the government continues to insist on its current legislative framework. If the government maintains its current position, workers may adopt forms of struggle, though the union noted that a general strike must still be prepared by the syndicates.

A villa in Portugal has been discovered containing 278 art masterpieces, including works by Picasso, Miro, Pierre Bonnard, and Albrecht Dürer. The collection likely belonged to an American billionaire who was robbed two years ago.

One person died and two others were injured in a vehicle collision on the N14 national road in the Maia zone this morning. The incident occurred during the final phase of the pandemic, according to the report. The accident occurred around 5:00 AM on the N14 road in the Maia area.

Portuguese citizens paid 36.6 million euros more in fuel taxes during the first three months of the year. In March alone, fuel tax payments increased by 17 million euros compared to the same period last year. The Prime Minister noted these execution numbers should alarm the government before entering a National Political Commission meeting. João Torres, vice-president of the PS parliamentary group, stated the party will insist on reducing VAT on fuels. This increase represents double the average increase. The rise is linked to concerns regarding price hikes caused by the war in the Middle East.

Luís Cabral stated that funds are being spent on nighttime helicopter transport, which remains a limited activity. A proposal regarding this issue has been presented to Minister Ana Paula Martins as part of the INEM operational model redesign.

Minister José Luiz Carneiro stated that budget execution numbers fail to disaggregate investments by project, promoter, or financing line. He noted that the Socialist Party (PS) government implemented robust and rapid measures when inflation rose at the start of the war in Ukraine. These measures included the adoption of VAT reductions on food items. The minister's comments followed discussions with farmers in Beja regarding previous government actions. Luís Mira of the CAPT stated that current government measures do not guarantee the competitiveness of Portuguese farmers against Spanish neighbors. Mira noted that Spain allocated 500 million for fertilizer increases, which represents 4% of the amount compared to the Portuguese response. The critic argued that the Portuguese measures are insufficient and arrived two months later than the Spanish support.

Labor unions in Portugal are organizing May Day demonstrations in Lisbon. A Porto Ata report released today indicates Portugal has the fifth highest weekly working hours in the European Union. Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets across Portugal on May 1.

Sporting Braga defeated Fribourg 2-1 at home to reach the semi-finals. Coach Carlos Vissanz stated the team was motivated and thanked the supporters for their help. The victory marks the club's first appearance in these semi-finals in 15 years.

The UGT will mark May 1 with a series of initiatives at the Centro Desportivo Nacional do Jamor in Oeiras. The leader of the PS confirmed attendance at these Labor Day celebrations.