Ex-PM’s path to top EU job gets more complicated // Government logo generates controversy — again
Portuguese news in English on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Ex-PM’s path to top EU job gets more complicated
Former Portuguese prime minister António Costa’s path to the European Council presidency has become more complicated, Público reports. The Socialist was expected by many to be confirmed in one of the European Union’s top jobs as early as last night at an informal dinner, along with Ursula von der Leyen’s renewal as president of the European Commission. But von der Leyen’s European People’s Party, which gained 14 seats as the Socialists lost three at the recent EU elections, began to raise doubts. One of those doubts related to the investigation that brought down Costa’s government, even after Público reported that those concerns had been eased when the ex-PM testified to an inquiry into the corruption investigation and was not made an arguido, or official suspect.
In the end, Polish PM Donald Tusk, of the EPP, proposed giving the job to Costa for 2.5 years and someone else for another 2.5 (the presidency terms are only 2.5 years but have always come with an automatic renewal in the past). The newspaper reported that idea didn’t gain traction but was enough to require negotiators from Europe’s three largest political groups to go back to their notes and delay the process at least somewhat.
If you’re a bit confused by the (admittedly fairly confusing) EU politics, Euronews has a very detailed explainer, in English, from yesterday morning.
Government logo generates controversy — again
There have been more twists and turns in the saga that for some reason just keeps on giving: the logo of the Portuguese Republic. In the latest iconographic imbroglio, the government's official portal carried a version of the logo without the central crest found on the flag for several hours, Diário de Notícias reports. You will remember the incoming Social Democrat government scrapped a redesigned logo (my April 10 newsletter) introduced by the former Socialist Party government as one of its first moves after taking power. That logo involved a much more dramatic and minimalist redesign of the logo, which also stripped away the castle and shields.
The government defended the use of the so-called “iconographic version” of the logo as being motivated by greater legibility on smaller screens. But it pulled the design later in the day, in a move aimed at avoiding more “unrest and confusion”, admitting the new logo had “created noise”.
Meanwhile, the previous government’s logo (the top one) won its second design awards, taking second place in the Branding—Identities & Identity Systems category at the PRINT Awards, SIC Notícias reports.
Former secretary of state fronts twins inquiry
Former secretary of state for health António Lacerda Sales has relied on his right to silence to avoid answering a range of questions about the Portuguese-Brazilian twins case, Público reports. He began his appearance at the parliamentary inquiry into the case by invoking the right based on his status as an official suspect in a public prosecutor investigation but did go on to answer some questions. He slammed the Inspectorate-General for Health Activities’ report into the twins’ treatment with one of the world’s most expensive drugs as “representing conclusions without plausible justification” and “founded in suppositions”.
“No one passed in front of anyone. There was no waiting list,” he said. Lacerda Sales also denied speaking with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa or then-health minister Marta Temido about the matter. You can read more background about the case in my newsletter from last week and the previous issues linked there.
In brief
Immigrants from India and Bangladesh criticise foreigners law change. The measure was announced on June 3 and entered into force the following day. “They didn’t even give those who are already here time to deal with their papers,” one said. (Público)
Why is Germany opposed to EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles? The EU has imposed large tariffs designed at stopping a flood of cheaper Chinese cars, but big manufacturers are concerned about the backlash from Beijing. (Euronews, in English)
Government signs first 83 agreements with councils to build homes. It’s the start of a €1.8 billion program meant to result in the state building 26,000 homes by June 2026. (Público)
Tax return payments taking longer to come through. Fraudulent emails are claiming your reimbursement is ready and asking you to fill out an online form to assist the process. The Tax Authority has explicitly warned people not to fall for it. The average waiting time has increased. (Público)
Communications regulator Anacom to create AI platform to deal with complaints. The regulator didn’t share many details but left open possibilities to use the emerging technology in many more circumstances.
On a lighter note
Alcântara é liiiiiinda! The Lisbon suburb celebrated long into the Noite de Santo António after its performance was crowned victorious in the Marchas Populares de Lisboa. Marvila came in second and Alfama third, Público reports, in the competition that involves creating songs, elaborate costumes and performances to be showcased on Avenida de Liberdade. As suburbs across the city partied on its longest night of the year, many were praising the neighbourhood pride they hoped would never be lost. And while some lamented increases in price and tourists changing the dynamic of the festas, they insisted the parties were still “very Portuguese, very local”.