DEFENCE SPENDING

 

 

In the light of the resignation of Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey claiming that Prime Minister Sir Keir Stamer is not spending enough on defence, it is worth noting that  Portugal does not publicly disagree with the UK's defence spending as both nations are bound by their history, centuries-old bilateral alliance and NATO obligations.

 

Portugal focuses on its own rearmament while actively encouraging the UK and Europe to strengthen industrial and security partnerships.

 

Portugal is committed to achieving NATO's defence spending by targeting 2% of GDP years ahead of schedule.

The Portuguese government is pursuing this through domestic capability enhancements, specifically in maritime and air defence.

 

To cooperate with EU-UK Security, Portuguese leaders have historically pushed for the European Union to establish "broad structures of partnership" with the UK, ensuring that any capability gaps are addressed through collaborative security frameworks rather than isolation.

 

While the UK's defence plans have been delayed by internal funding debates, Portugal has deepened its industrial ties with Britain. Portuguese tech and defence firms are actively investing hundreds of millions of euros into British-based manufacturing, particularly for the UK's shift toward unmanned and autonomous systems.

 

In prioritising NATO over a European Army, Portugal continues to oppose the creation of a separate European army, advocating instead for the modernisation of allied forces - including the UK'- strictly within the NATO framework.

POPE’S VISITS TO IBERIA

                     Rotalty and children welcome the pontiff to Madrid

Pope Leo, who is currently visiting Spain is planning to be in Portugal in July next year to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the apparitions at the Sanctuary of Fátima.

 

President António José Seguro has extended an official invitation for the Portugal visit. Vatican discussions for the apostolic journey are already underway.

 

In a speech soon after arriving in Spain un Saturday Pope Leo urged against division and said the world is crying out for peace.

“Our age, seemingly shaken by terrible imbalances and conflicts, cries out from its depths for peace,” the pontiff said, in an address in front of King Felipe VI at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

 

The message of peace, he said, “at present unfortunately strikes some as naïve and others as confrontational.” It is, however, welcomed by those “who do not shut themselves off in preconceived ideologies, but are rather open to the truth.”

Later in the speech, he added: “For the love of truth, I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your societal reality and history, so as to overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity.”

 

 

DISGRACED FORMER VISITOR

The front of  the holiday home, 

which has a sea view and a swimming pool at the back

Peter Murrell, the convicted former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, regularly visited the Algarve with his now estranged wife, the former SNP First Minister Nichola Sturgeon.

Murrell has pleaded guilty in the UK to embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP party over 12 years.

 

Before they parted, the couple regularly spent summer holidays together in a luxury villa in the Algarve near their favourite town, Albufeira. Murrell maintained a partial ownership of the villa for some years. He and Nichola frequented cafes and restaurants popular with the local community.

 

These holidays continued throughout Nichola’s tenure as Scotland's first minister, typically serving as a quiet retreat from the relentless demands of Scottish politics.

 

The visits were mostly private, spent reading and relaxing when not dining out or exploring parts of the Algarve’s beautiful coastline.

 In a lengthy interview with the BBC on Sunday, Nichola Sturgeon denied covering up problems in the party's finances or having any knowledge or Murrell's wrongdoing.

Sturgeon told the BBC: “I'm serving a sentence for crime I didn't commit.” She added: "I will not apologise for the crimes of my former husband".

It remains to be seen if Miss Sturgeon retirns for summer holidays in the Algarve,  Murrell will certainly not.