PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

 

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Antonio Jose Seguro of the centre-left Socialist Party (PS) has won Portugal’s presidential election but by an insufficient margin to avoid a second-round run-off with Andre Ventura of the far-right Chega party on 8 February

 

It was an unexpected victory by Seguro as Ventura had been widely predicted in opinion polls to win if only by a small percentage of votes.

 

Fourteen candidates, independent s well as leaders from all the political parties, vied for the presidency.

 

It is a non-executive position, but as head of state the president carries significant moderating power during any tie of crisis and is head of the armed forces.

 

The incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a politician, academic and Portugal’s 20th president, has served in the role since 2016 having been re-elected three times. He abandoned his position in the centre-right Social Democratic Party to concentrate on being politically neutral.

 

 

HOUSE PRICES IN PORTUGAL

 

Amid Portugal’s on-going “housing crisis,” the latest reports say that Portugal recorded the second highest year-on-year house price rise (17.7%) in Europe in the third quarter of 2025. The European Union average was 5.3%, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU.

Prices are highest in the major cities, Lisbon and Porto. The per square meter prices in 2025 in Lisbon were about €5,900, and in Porto around €3,900.  Inland prices were much lower, many at €1,500, some under €700 per square meter. Between €3,500 and €4,500 are the likely asking prices in places in the extremely popular Algarve.

Portuguese families are the main overall buyers, but much foreign demand, especially for luxury accommodation, is coming from the United States, Brazil, Britain, France and Germany.

Portugal’s housing crisis is because residents find the cost of purchases or rentals is being far outpaced by wages and the general cost of living. Despite government efforts to increase affordable accommodation, the younger generation in particular are suffering. 

The Minister of Infrastructure has just acknowledged that the long-running crisis cannot be resolved ‘overnight’ but claims that a new legislative package will bring purchase prices down and encourage renting. 

 

PORTUGAL CONDEMNS U.S

Presidential candidates in Portugal have condemned America’s intervention in Venezuela and its aggressive attitude towards Greenland.

 

This was the main topic of discussion when the candidates officially launched their campaigns on Sundy. Most of them described America’s actions, including the arrest of President Maduro, as a “violation of international law.” 

 

Protesters have taken to the streets of Lisbon to denounce the US actions which they regard as entirely illegal. Slogans displayed during the protests included “Latin America is not the United States’ backyard.”  Protesters have also demanded that President Trump pull back from his announced hopes in Greenland.

 

There is concern though some reassurances about the wellbeing of the Portuguese community in Venezuela.

 

AS for Trumps’s extraordinary wish to make Greenland part of the United States, this is strongly opposed by Portugal and the rest of the European NATO countries. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and only the Danish government and Greenland people can decide its future.

 

If Trump and his associates do not agree and illegally occupy Greenland, the future of NATO and security in the western world will be at stake. 

 

On Tuesday, the Portuguese government signed a European declaration on Greenland’s autonomy and the need to maintain security in the Arctic following Trump’s threats.

SUNSHINE RETURNING SOON

 

Yellow weather warnings are currently in place due to heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas in several parts of Portugal including the districts of Lisbon, Coimbra and Faro, but sunshine is forecast to come back in the next few days.

According to the Portuguese Institute of the sea and atmosphere, the month of March last year was exceptionally wet. Significant rainfalls returned in the latter part of the year and on into the start of this year. Winds have been gusting at 80 – 110 km/hr especially in mountainous areas. Waves in the rough seas have been reaching 2.5 metres along the coast of the Algarve.

Winter weather will prevail, but is likely to settle down into more normal patterns.

 

URGENT AIRPORT DEBATE

Portugal’s Socialist Party (PS) has called for an urgent parliamentary debate about the centre-tight government’s plan to suspend the European border control arrangement at Lisbon airport. The centre-left Socialists have been highly critical of the government’s handling of border issues, accusing it of “unpreparedness” and “incompetence.” This, the PS is claiming, has led to chaos among passengers at the Lisbon airport terminal.  

 

AIRPORT ACTIONS u[DATE

 

 

The Portuguese government has suspended its relatively new entry-exit border system for nom-EU citizens after weeks of chaos for arrivals at Lisbon airport from non-Schengen counties.

 

Quite separately, strike plans by baggage handlers at all major Portuguese airports have been called off. The strike had been expected to proceed from December 31 to January 1 causing much disruption and delays if not some flight cancellations.

Travellers should keep checking to make sure that this situation remains stable. 

MAJOR FLIGHT DUSRUPTIONS

 The year is ending with disruptions for travelers to and from all of Portugal’s major airports.  A nationwide strike from Wednesday December 31 to Thursday January 1 is expected to affect flights to and from Lisbon, Faro Porto, Madeira and Porto Santo. Delays for domestic and international are expected for check-in services, baggage loading and unloading and aircraft turnaround times.   Ground handling workers are going on strike in protest over “uncertainty over job security” due to the Civil Aviation Authority tender for ground handling licences.   Not all flights are expected to be cancelled, but passengers are advised to keep well informed.    We will keep reporting here on any important strike developments.    By the way:  We’re back here again after the postponement to focus on my latest book, which is now being edited prior to publication.