MAIN HEADLINE NEWS

ELECTION IN MAY  

Parliament has been dissolved ahead of a national election set for 18 May –  the third in as many years – following a no-confidence vote against the minority Social Democratic Party (PSD). The main contenders in May will be the PSD, the Socialist Party (PS) and Chega. 

WEATHER WARNINGS

The Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute has issued multiple weather warnings for various parts of the mainland, as well as the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. Flights have been disrupted, flooding has occurred, and some reservoirs have overflowed. The Algarve, after years of drought, has experienced relentless rain day after day after day this month.

AIRPORT ARRIVALS. 

Portugal’s airports handled 4.2 million passengers in January, 6% more than the same month last year. This surge is all the more remarkable, given that January falls in the middle of the tourism low-season.

UKRAINE SUPPORT

Portugal's prime minister and foreign minister have been in close collaboration with British and EU efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. 

HOME PRICES 

The price of homes is expected to continue to rise this year in Portugal, one of Europe’s hottest property markets. This is driven by strong foreign demand and limited supply.

HOMELESSNESS  

A Catholic Charity is taking action to tackle what it describes as “a dramatic increase” in homelessness. The organisation has stressed the urgent need “to fight against poverty and exclusion in Portugal.” New homes rose by 7.5% in 2924 over the previous tear. The rise in existing homes over the same period was 9.7%.

TRUMP’S TARRIFS  

Wine producers in the Douro, Portugal’s prime wine-producing region are deeply concerned that Trump’s proposed  20% tariffs on drinks, including wine, from the European Union. Industry experts warn the measures could have a “brutal effect” on their exports.  

HUNTERS HUNTED 

Between 18 August and 28 February, the GNR police inspected 7,496 individuals, detaining 197 for illegally hunting protected species.

ANIMAL ABUSE..

The PSP police have detained 326 people for environmental crimes, including animal abuse and have recorded 11,485 offences related to those crimes over the past three years.