Lawmakers rewrite rental rules while owning 1,039 properties
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A new report reveals that members of the government and deputies from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Chega, Liberal Initiative (IL), and CDS-PP collectively own 1,039 properties, with many acting as landlords or real estate investors, even as they are involved in changing rental laws. This revelation comes amidst ongoing housing protests, where demonstrators in Lisbon and Porto have decided to remain camped despite police demands for their removal due to a lack of licensing. The Ombudsman has requested information regarding police actions in Porto concerning these protests.
In other news, witnesses have begun to challenge the Public Ministry's evidence against former Prime Minister José Sócrates in the TGV case, with former government officials denying political interference or privileged information access. Sócrates, who served as Prime Minister from 2005 to 2011, is currently facing trial for money laundering and falsification of documents. Meanwhile, former PSD President Rui Rio stated that the ongoing case involving Luís Neves, the current Minister of Home Affairs, is causing significant and structurally damaging wear on the Social Democratic Party.
The government, led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, is also set to meet with public function unions to discuss salary increases planned for 2027. André Ventura, the Leader of the Opposition and President of the Chega party, has proposed an emergency legislative package aimed at addressing the persistent housing crisis. Internationally, Portuguese media is covering Ukrainian President Zelensky's suggestion that Donald Trump is attempting to force Kyiv's capitulation to Moscow, among other global events.