ECONOMIC RESILIENCE

The crisis in the Middle East is causing chaos in countries across the world, but Portugal is showing much more resilience than most.

 

The reason for this is Portugal's development and dependence on renewable energy such as solar and wind rather than fossil fuels such as oil. Portugal does import some oil, but from North Africa and the United States, not the Middle East. 

 

The conflict in the Middle East and particularly the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is causing worldwide inflation. Steep rises in costs of international transportation have sharply increased prices in Portugal and elsewhere of petrol and diesel for car owners and commodities such as food.

It is hoped that peace talks in the Middle East will return things to normal as soon as possible. 

 

Portugal had to weather a financial crisis of its own between 2010 and 2014. Having restructured its economy since then, last year was marked by high exports, increased tourism revenue, thus outpacing most other European Union countries. 

DOMESTIC ABUSE WORSENS

 

 

Domestic violence and child abuse is on the increase in Portugal, partially in the Algarve and Lisbon, according to a statement this week from the Victim Support Association (AS AV).

 

They say that between 2022 and 2025 a total of 13,039 children and young people were supported by the organisation. This was a 52.4% increase over the same previous period.

 

APAV reports that on average it has supported 272 children and young victims per month, the equivalent of 63 per week and nine per day.

 

Violence and other Crimes against young people numbered 23,935 during these four years, reflecting a stark overall rise.

 

The number of crimes recorded in the Algarve was 24.4%, followed by Lisbon (14.5%) and Braga (10.2%).

The organisation’s statists show that domestic violence accounted for 61.7% of cases, followed by sexual crimes at 31.8% and other forms of violence at 6.5%.

 

APAV emphasised an increase in reported child sexual abuse cases from 390 in 2022 to 864 in 2025 - an increase of 121.5%.

The data also shows that most victims are girls, but boys accounted for 39.9% of cases. The highest number of cases recorded was among children aged 11 to 14 (30.9%), followed by those aged six to 10 (26.9%), children up to five years old (20.3%) and young people aged 15 to 17 (21.9%).

The identified offenders were mostly parents (39.6%) other family members or family friends. Most were men (61.9%).

 

WAR PLANES RESTRIIONS

 

US aircraft can use the Azores landing bases on condition they do  bomb civilian  to the use of the Azores air base by US war planes provided they they do not target infrastructures in the Middle East war.

 

Reuters are reporting that 76 US aircraft have landed at the Lajes Field air base in the Azores and 25 overflies of the territory have occurred since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran.

 

Before the current pause in the wat, President Trump threatened to devastate 

 

Portugal’s Foreign Minister has told a parliamentary hearing that the United States had complied with the conditions, but said that several times Azores landings had been refused

AIR QUALITY WARNING

 

The quality of the air over mainland Portugal is expected to remain poor and place the elderly and children at risk until Thursday thus week.

 

The air is being polluted by dust from the Sahara Desert in northern Africa.  The warning came from Portugal’s national health authority today, Tuesday, urging the elderly and children to take care.

 

Sahara dust particles can trigger inflammatory responses in the raspatory system leading to acute and chronic respiratory conditions.

 

The yellow dust from the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world, can be smelt by many people especially in the Algarve.

 

 

 

 

The quality of the air over mainland Portugal is expected to remain poor and place the elderly and children at risk until Thursday thus week.

 

The air is being polluted by dust from the Sahara Desert in northern Africa.  The warning came from Portugal’s national health authority today, Tuesday, urging the elderly and children to take care.

 

Sahara dust particles can trigger inflammatory responses in the raspatory system leading to acute and chronic respiratory conditions.

 

The yellow dust from the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world, can be smelt by many people especially in the Algarve.

 

 

 

BEWARE - FIMES COMING AGAIN

 

Forest fires in Portugal are yet again a severel threat that is getting ready to burn more than 1% of the national territory, the highest rate in the EU.

 

Aggravated by climate change, droughts, strong winds and rural abandonment these fires devastate thousands of hectares resulting in human tragedies, loss of biodiversity, and high economic costs. 

 

Climate Change, extreme heat waves and prolonged droughts create ideal conditions for the risk of wildfires, as does the expansion of highly flammable plants such as eucalyptus, along with rural abandonment.

 

Most of the fires are of human origin, whether due to negligence or arson. Strong winds and steep terrain often make firefighting difficult.

The year 2025 recorded one of the worst fire seasons, with 43% of the total burned area in the EU concentrated in Portugal and Spain.

 

The loss of human lives and the destruction of homes and infrastructure are recurring consequences.

Protected Areas: National parks, such as Serra da Estrela and Gerês, are frequently affected, threatening the habitats of protected plant and animal species. 

PORTUGAL’S ENETGY CRISIS

 

This Tuesday afternoon Portugal’s President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces António José Seguro will chair a meeting of the Superior Council of National Defence to discuss an impending energy crisis in this country.

The Superior Council of National Defence is a specific collegial body that acts in an advisory capacity on matters relating to national defence and the organisation, functioning and discipline of the Armed Forces.  This body comprises the Prime Minister, the Ministers of State and of National Defence, Foreign Affairs, Internal Administration, Finance, and those responsible for the sectors of industry, energy, transport and communications, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and the Chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force.

The Superior Council of National Defence also includes representatives of the Republic and the presidents of the governments of the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, the chair of the National Defence Committee of the Assembly of the Republic, and two further members of parliament elected to this body by a two-thirds majority.

The president’s announcement came just as energy minister Maria da Graça Carvalho confirmed that Portugal is closing in on the moment at which it will have to declare an energy crisis for which specific measures have just been decided.

It also came after Minister for Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel reiterated in Brussels that Portugal will not be participating in the conflict in the Middle East – neither militarily nor in the recent capacity suggested by President Trump of “securing the Strait of Hormuz” for the passage of oil tankers. This is a position shared by other NATO members, particularly France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

In the United States, President Trump has reacted harshly to the stance by NATO members not to rally to his call for “a very small endeavour to protect the strait.

WILDFIRE RISKS WORSEN

 

 

Storm damage over the winter months has increased fears of devastating wildfires this summer.

 

The relevant authorities in Portugal, Spain and France have come up with a plan to closely share wildfire information.

 

The storms in January created a dangerous growth of ground vegetation and a blockage of hundreds of kilometres of forest paths, especially in the central region of Portugal.

 

Experts in Portugal, Spain and France have just announced the development of computer app to monitor real-time any local and regional spread of wildfires.

Even though this is still not the beginning of April,  100 firefighters are battling a blaze in the Peneda  Geres National Park in northern Portugal. 

 

 

 

 

TOP ELECTION INTERUPTED

Round two of Portugal’s Presidential Election scheduled for this Sunday has been partially postponed because of the extremely severe weather conditions.

 

The impending run-off between Antonio Jose Seguro of the centre-left Socialists (PS), and Andre Ventura founder of the right-wing Chega party, was partially called off on Friday, largely because of Ventura’s concerns about the impact of the weather on voting. His request for a total postponement was rejected. Much of the vote will instead be held in a week’s time, though it may not be delayed in some municipalities.

 

 Seguro got the most votes in round one of the election last month with an insufficient majority to avoid a run-off. The odds seem to favour Seguro, especially as the Socialists have formed many alternative governments opposing the centre-right Social Democrats since the Cultural Revolution that ousted the dictatorship and restored democracy in 1974.

 

A surprise presidential win by Chega would put it on track along with the increasing appeal of right-wing populists in various European countries, as well as in the United Kingdom where the Reform Party may well succeed the deeply troubled  Labour Party.

 

The violent winds and persistent heavy rain that has caused extreme flooding across much of the country seems to have subsided, but more could come. Storm Marta ripped across Portugal and into Spain on Saturday following a devastat8int week by Storm Leonardo. Thousands of civil protection, police and other specialised officers are on standby to help with any more weather crises impacting on the final presidential voting.

 

 

 

 

WORSE WEATHER ON THE WAY

Storm Leonardo has brought heavy rain, rising rivers and serious flooding to Portugal this week, and worse may be to come as the country braces for storm Marta this weekend.

 

Some of the most serious flooding has been in the Tagus region,

South of Lisbon, in the Alentejo, as well as the Algarve.

 

The Civil Protection Agency issued a red alert for the Tagus basin as waterflow there doubled. This was due to sudden dam discharges.

 

South of Lisbon, homes had to be evacuated, and schools closed as the storm continued to smash across both Portugal and Spain.

 

In the Algarve, the fierce winds, continuing rain and pounding seas have necessitated  rescue operations and caused many road blockages due to landslides and fallen trees.

 

Emergence servicesremain on full alert.  

STORM KRISTIN WREAKS HAVOC

 

It is far from clear what lies ahead weatherwise.

 

Day one was bad enough, but day two was much more destructive    due to the still raging storm Kristin, more rain and far greater flooding.

 

One of the hardest hit cities was Silves in the Algarve were the water thundered down from the upstream reservoir and topped the trunks of trees, engulfed the riverbanks and submerged riverside municipal gardens and the city’s main road., closing businesses and homes.

 

Wind gusts of 178 Km were recorded elsewhere in Portugal before monitoring equipment was destroyed.

More than 850,000 people lost power on Wednesday, according to electricity distributor E-Redes.

 

At least five people have died in an event that the government has described as “ an extreme climatic event".

 

Yet more rain is forecast, but it remains to be seen  how harmful his will be in the coming days.

FLOODED ROADS, MORE TO COME

So much rain in recent weeks forced the closure of 25 national and municipal roads in Portugal from 7 am today,

Tuesday.

 

The closures were due to either flooding or landslides, mainly in northern and central regions, according to the National Republican Guard (GNR).

More flooding is expected in the days ahead in parts of the country including the districts of  Lisbon, Faro, Porto, Beja, Evora, Santarem, Coimbra, Setubal, Leiria, Alvaro, Vila Real, Vana do Castelo, Castelo Branco, Vase, Braga and Barranca

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere issued red alerts for exceptionally rough seas.

 

Storms with extremely high winds have been battering Portugal. The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection reported 490 incidents between midnight and 7.45 am today, mostly involving flooding and fallen trees.  During the night 1,964 and 64 vehicles were deployed across the country, though apparently no  emergency  treatment was needed.

 

 

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.