Portuguese farmers block roads with tractors // Xenophobic and anti-racist rallies in Lisbon
Portuguese news in English on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
Portuguese farmers block roads with tractors
Portugal’s farmers have joined those from France and several other European countries in blocking major roads to protest their economic circumstances. Hundreds blocked roads across the entire country on Thursday, exasperated by delayed and reduced subsidy payments, Público reports. Before the end of the day, the caretaker government’s Agriculture minister had met with some of the organisers by videoconference and announced about €500 million in support measures.
That got the tractors off the roads but yesterday the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP) decried the promise as “an illusion”, Público reports. After a meeting with Minister Maria do Céu Antunes, CAP Secretary-General Luís Mira said the measures contained “nothing new” and had “nothing to do with the reality” of what was announced last week. The National Farming Confederation (CNA) echoed those sentiments, highlighting the plight of smaller farmers struggling for capital he said wouldn’t be able to get loans and would fall ever further into debt.
Xenophobic and anti-racist rallies in Lisbon
Lisbon played host this weekend to two opposing rallies, a hate-filled gathering against the “Islamisation of Europe” and an anti-racist party celebrating diversity, Diario de Notícias reports. Largo de Intendente was filled with concerts, international food and signs saying things like “immigrants welcome” as dozens of Indians, Pakistanis and foreigners from other countries watched on shyly from the next road over. Activist António Tonga, one of the organisers, told the crowd it was to “protect the people who live and work” on that road, which is full of immigrant-run businesses and restaurants.
Less than a kilometre away in Chiado’s Largo de Camões, the extreme-right nationalist group 1147 — the year of Portugal’s founding — sang the national anthem, praised former dictator António Salazar and threw up Nazi salutes. With lit torches reminiscent of the far-right march in the US town of Charlottesville in 2017, they chanted “Portugal for the Portuguese” as tourists looked on scared, or even hid in shops or cried. Police who escorted the protest said there were about 200 people there but media estimates varied from roughly 50 to 100. The racists had been blocked from their original plan to gather in Martim Moniz due to the elevated foreign population there and the resulting risk to public safety, Diário de Notícias reported.
Former PM José Sócrates to stand trial
Lisbon’s Court of Appeal has ordered former prime minister José Sócrates to stand trial for corruption and other charges, Público reports. The latest turn in the years-long Operation Marquês investigation overturns a 2021 decision, which the appeals judges strongly criticised, to drop 171 charges against the former Socialist Party (PS) leader and many others. That decision had sent Sócrates and four others to trial for lesser crimes but he is now accused of three counts of corruption and another 19 of money laundering and fraud. There’s also sufficient evidence for another 21 suspects to stand trial, the judges alleged. The case revolves around €34 million seized between 2006 and 2015, mostly in Swiss bank accounts. The judges alleged the money belonged to Sócrates and that he used his power to help businessmen, who paid him in return.
Sócrates said he would appeal the decision, AFP reported, in English. "It's a great disappointment," he told the news agency. "I don't agree at all." His lawyers last week argued the decision was void as two of the three appeals court judges had moved from Lisbon to other jurisdictions before it was published, Lusa reports.
In brief
Portugal the first southern European country to bring debt back to pre-crisis levels. Debt dropped to 98.7% of GDP last year, down from 133% in 2014 and below 100% for the first time since 2010. The debt ratio hit 135% briefly in 2020 but the effects of inflation on the public coffers quickly made up for the pandemic. (Público)
Social Democratic Party (PSD) wins Azores election for first time in 32 years. The PSD/CDS/PPM coalition elected 26 MPs with 42% of the vote, against PS with 23 and 36% of the vote. Far-right Chega has five deputies and 9% of the vote. (Público)
Madeira leader Miguel Albuquerque resigns amid investigation. The regional president, who was named a formal suspect in a corruption investigation, said he would remain as caretaker leader until after handing down the next budget. He said he had a clear conscience and didn’t break any rules. (Diário de Notícias)
Police union indicates "strong possibility" of protests impeding elections. The National Police Union president said protests could “gain another dimension” after a Liga Portugal clash between Sporting and Famalicão was called off due to a lack of officers. (Público)
Lawyer has 200 processes against AIMA (SEF replacement) in various administrative courts. Immigrants are waiting months and even years to regularise their residency in portugal. (Público)
Employment court recognises delivery rider as Uber Eats employee. In the first ruling of its kind in Portugal, the tribunal found the worker should have an employment contract rather than working on recibos verdes. (Público)
On a lighter note
The latest Ikea ads aren’t pulling any punches. The Swedish furniture giant is pushing its bookshelves as “good to store books. Or €75,800”. It’s a reference to the cash allegedly found hidden in books in the office of Prime Minister António Costa’s chief of staff during the investigation that brought the government down (more in my November 7 newsletter). The campaign sparked a number of complaints to the National Election Commission, which last week ruled it wasn’t political advertising, Público reports.
Would you consider doing a more comprehensive summary regarding the parties, key candidates, and positions, going into next month's legislative elections?