No-confidence motion rejected as education and justice reforms continue.
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The government successfully fended off a no-confidence motion, with only the Chega party voting in favor of its rejection, bringing an immediate political challenge to a close. This comes as the Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Júdice, faces accusations of lying and cover-up from Chega leader André Ventura regarding Operation Pacoba, a controversy intensified by revelations of a budget error involving seized barrels. The opposition has formally requested an urgent hearing for the Director of the Judiciary Police, Carlos Cabreiro, to address these discrepancies.
Meanwhile, significant changes are underway in the education sector, with the merger of the first and second cycles of basic education progressing, which will affect teacher hours. This development coincides with investigations into school directors over exam failures and a reported decline in PISA 2025 results. In healthcare, the National Health Service (SNS) has outlined staffing increases until 2028, though these projections are lower than those of the previous year.
Beyond these domestic policy shifts and political clashes, the government is also preparing for potential 'tax wars,' with a recent hearing highlighting increased discord with the Court of Accounts over fiscal matters. The Lisbon City Council was also ordered to pay a substantial fine related to a 'Russiagate' case.