National budget approved despite opposition criticism // Two-thirds of eligible population yet to get seasonal booster shot
Portuguese news in English on Sunday, October 30, 2022
By the numbers
National budget approved despite opposition criticism
The 2023 budget has been approved in principle, exactly one year after the 2022 budget failed to pass, sending the country to elections that eventually delivered this majority government, Público reports. Prime Minister António Costa argued it was a “good tool” to respond to the current economic and social crisis. But President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he would wait to see if there were changes to include more help for families. Opposition parties on both sides of the political spectrum united to oppose the budget with varied criticisms but an overall message that it wasn’t enough to help people deal with inflation. Costa has already announced one support measure outside the budget, to assist families facing rising interest rates.
Two-thirds of eligible population yet to get seasonal booster shot
Roughly a third of the eligible population (those over 60) have received a seasonal COVID-19 booster, Público reports. The autumn campaign runs until December 17 and Health Ministry support centre coordinator Colonel Penha Gonçalves stresses there’s still plenty of time. Responding to increasing calls from public health experts, the coordinator said he had no information about a plan to broaden the vaccination scheme to younger residents, beyond those with certain health conditions and in certain jobs. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he received his seasonal booster this week and encouraged everyone over 70, who are being invited to appointments via SMS, to do likewise, Lusa reports. There’s some new European modelling out regarding new Omicron sub variants, which you can read here from the ECDC.
After another record year, real estate agents expect the market to slow
Portuguese real estate agents are expecting 2022 to go down in the record books before a price correction next year, Público reports. JLL Portugal president Pedro Lancastre said despite the financial uncertainty around the world, the local market would likely hit €3 billion this year. Some tip a figure even higher but it’s expected that will begin to turn around next year as investors adopt a “wait and see” approach in the face of rising interest rates and construction costs.
In Brief
SEF (Immigration and Border Service) opens 60,000 appointments for immigrants. The Home Affairs Ministry said it was one measure under way to reduce waiting times caused partially by the pandemic and an “exponential” growth in new requests. (Lusa)
EasyJet to fly exclusively from terminal one in Lisbon. The change, as of today, comes ahead of what the low-cost carrier predicts will be its busiest Portuguese winter ever. (Público)
Government to send SEF inspectors to East Timor to stop illegal immigration. Two inspectors will be working with Timorese border forces for at least three weeks. (Público)
Inflation hits 10.2% in October, highest figure since 1992. That figure is compared to last October, with a 1.3% rise compared to last month. (Diário de Notícias)
TAP fears effects of cabin crew absenteeism over Christmas. The company warned a high number of absences would mean major service disruptions.
Lula wins in Lisbon, Porto and Faro. The left-wing candidate for Brazilian president won a majority of voters in Portugal. (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
The recent history of the Iberian lynx is truly a success story. At the turn of the century, fewer than 100 were left in the wild and they were considered the most endangered feline in the world, Visão reports. Now, after many years of cooperation between Portugal and Spain, there are more than 1500 living freely. The national lynx reproduction program’s coordinator, Rodrigo Serra, said it was a happy story but one that still wasn’t over, warning of the threats of climate change and other future challenges.