Stories from Portugal

Sporting Braga player Carlos Vincent credited supporters for the team's motivation and support during their Europa League match. Sporting Braga defeated SC Freiburg 2-1 in a Conference League semifinal match. The decisive goal was a converted penalty in the 71st minute after the score was tied 1-1 from the 16th minute until extra time. The loss leaves the German club needing a performance at home to reach the final. Braga's Noah Atubolo made a save confirmed by video review shortly before halftime. Freiburg must now win the second leg in one week to advance to the Europa League final in Istanbul on May 20. Mário Durgelles scored the winning goal for the Braga side. Portuguese President António José Seguro, Marcelo Rebelo de Souza, and Luís Montenegro attended the match to support the team. Braga coach Carlos Vinsen praised the team's persistence following the victory.

José Teixeira, founder of the Braga-based DST Group, is calling for increased time and freedom for workers. The group employs approximately 4,000 people.

José Luiz Carneiro, a leader of the Socialist Party (PS), accused Prime Minister Luís Montenegro of insensitivity regarding the rising cost of living. Carneiro stated that the Prime Minister is disconnected from reality.

Portugal is among the European Union countries with the highest working hours but among the lowest productivity levels. Labor unions UGT and CGTP have scheduled various protests across northern and southern Portugal for Labor Day.

The concentration of cocaine metabolites in Portuguese rivers has been increasing, according to a report from the Institute for Addictions (ICAD). This rise in river levels suggests an increase in cocaine consumption within the country.

Claudia Alves identified approximately 40 nurses in the Portuguese Red Cross archives who volunteered for service in France during World War I. These nurses established a hospital that opened on the day of a battle. The discovery highlights the previously undocumented role of Portuguese women in the conflict. A film titled Damas explores the contributions of Portuguese nurses during the Great War. The hospital was established to address high casualty rates and medical needs during the conflict.

Braga coach Carlos Carvalhal noted that the team is aware their second half will be difficult during their upcoming match in Germany. The comments followed support for Portuguese teams in European competitions by President António Costa and former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Coach Carlos Vincent stated the team is aware that the second leg in Germany will be difficult. The club aims to reach the final in Istanbul, which would be the second time in its history following a 2011 appearance. Braga will play its next match against Freiburg on Thursday, May 7. Sporting Braga defeated SC Freiburg 2-1 in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals. Braga scored a winning goal in the second minute of stoppage time. The match was played at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. Vincenzo Grieff scored for Freiburg on a counter-attack during the match.

The employment rate for foreigners in Portugal has exceeded the rate for national citizens. Prime Minister Luiz Montenegro stated there are no reasons for alarm regarding the increase. The government is preparing various possibilities to address the cost of living based on economic evolution. The Prime Minister noted that announcing measures prematurely would be ineffective as they depend on the evolution of economic constants. He noted that the government will not announce specific measures before they are applied to avoid premature declarations. Prime Minister Luiz Montenegro addressed the increase, stating the government is attentive to the rising cost of living for Portuguese citizens. Montenegro expressed empathy regarding the impact of inflation on the population. The inflation rate in Portugal accelerated to 3.4 percent in April.

The national minimum wage in Portugal tripled between 1995 and 2025. This figure is significantly lower than the European Union average of 3,317.3 euros across 27 member states. In Portugal, nearly 13% of employees are on fixed-term contracts. Nearly 13% of workers in the EU-27 work long hours, with the highest rates in the Netherlands, Poland, France, and Spain. Portugal ranks as the fourth country with the highest level of job precariousness among youth, where almost four in ten workers under age 30 hold temporary contracts. Studies reveal the adjusted average salary in Portugal was 2,068.20 euros in 2024. Additionally, 27.13% of workers in Portugal are on temporary contracts. Approximately 4 in 10 workers under the age of 30 in Portugal hold temporary contracts. The report was released on International Workers' Day, according to journalist António José Soares.

Prime Minister António Costa appears to recognize that labor reform is not a priority for the national government. Carneiro stated on May 1 that the government's attempt to denigrate the proposal is unacceptable. He urged the Prime Minister to show lucidity and courage by removing the reform from the table. The National Political Commission of the Socialist Party (PS) criticized Prime Minister Luís Montenegro regarding labor reform. Commission member Carneiro stated that Montenegro is disconnected from reality. The commission further claimed the Prime Minister has accepted that the country does not require the proposed labor reform and will likely retreat from the position. Montenegro reportedly admitted during a fortnightly debate that the country will not end if the labor law is not changed. The request follows reasons cited during a strike on December 11.