President criticises prime minister but spurns new elections // Spy head ordered controversial computer search
Portuguese news in English on Monday, May 8, 2023.
President criticises prime minister but spurns new elections
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has promised to be a more active player in Portuguese politics, strengthening his criticism of the decision not to expel an under-fire minister but rejecting calls for new elections for now, Público reports. In what seems to be a definitive split from Prime Minister António Costa after seven mostly cooperative years, Marcelo argued Infrastructure Minister João Galamba should have been fired over the controversy that’s been rocking the government for more than a week now (read more in last week’s newsletter). He said the minister had to take responsibility for his actions and left a warning for Costa, saying it wasn’t enough to just say sorry and move on. Costa responded on Friday, admitting there was a divergence between the two leaders but insisting it was an “exception” that shouldn’t be over-dramatised, Diário de Notícias reports. You can read more in English from Reuters.
The president walked around eating ice cream as journalists tried to ask him about whether he would dissolve Parliament last week. In the last political crisis, he left the presidential palace and walked past the waiting media only to ignore them and seemingly pay a bill at the ATM.
Spy head ordered controversial computer search
The Secretary-General of Portugal’s intelligence system was the one responsible for ordering the intelligence service to seize a work computer that’s become central to the saga, according to a Diário de Notícias investigation. SIRP (intelligence system) boss ambassador Graça Mira Gomes and SIS (the intelligence service, which forms part of the system) director-general Neiva da Cruz will front a parliamentary hearing next week to explain their controversial decision. The prime minister and the body responsible for the SIRP both gave their support but many more, including the former head of the regulator, have said the move was an error. The computer had been used by now-former Galamba adviser Frederico Pinheiro, who accused the minister of wanting to hide information about a “secret” meeting from the parliamentary inquiry into TAP. He allegedly assaulted colleagues as he left with the computer, which he said contained relevant details and the government alleged had classified information that could put national security at risk.
Portugal and Italy are European outliers on rape laws
A range of proposals are set to go before parliament to make rape a public crime, allowing public prosecutors to launch investigations without a complaint from the victim, Público reports. Portugal, Italy and tiny San Marino are isolated within Europe as the only assignees of the Council of Europe’s Istanbul convention to make the change. Currently in Portugal, rape is considered a semi-public offence, meaning victims have six months to present a complaint, which can then trigger an investigation. Public crimes include murder, kidnapping, child sexual abuse and domestic violence. Proposals from the Left Bloc (BE), Chega, People–Animals–Nature (PAN) and Liberal Initiative (IL) to change the status of rape are all due to go before parliament in the near future. But most members of the ruling Socialist Party (PS) have previously sought to maintain the status quo. PS MP Cláudia Santos claimed the change would not result in more convictions but in more acquittals, arguing victims should be able to choose what’s best for them. Proponents of the change say it would have a deterrent effect on potential offenders and maintain the law as is represents “one more civilisational delay” in relation to the rest of Europe.
In brief
Youtuber invited to Parliament by Liberal Initiative makes video swearing at prime minister. The creator, Tiago Paiva, filmed a video pretending to be speaking in the Assembly of the Republic, which criticised the government’s housing plan and ended with the insult. (Expreso)
Train driver strikes come to an end. Comboios de Portugal (CP) on Thursday reached a deal with the train drivers’ union, putting an end to rolling strikes that had been ongoing since the start of the year. (Público)
TAP passengers let €35.9 million in pandemic vouchers expire. The company had issued €282 million in vouchers by the end of 2020, a figure that dropped to €203 million in 2021 and €61 million last year. (Público)
On a lighter note
In an improvised laboratory in the sacristy of the Mosteiro (Monastery) de São Dinis e São Bernardo in Odivelas, anthropologists, archeologists and historians are studying the bones of a king, Público reports. Work to renovate and study the tomb of Portugal’s sixth king has been ongoing since 2016 and unearthed surprises including his sword and many different types of fabric. What it hasn’t found, the experts say, is any evidence of the bear he was famously said to have killed when it attacked him near Beja. “If the bear attack is real, it didn’t leave a trace on his skeleton,” said anthropologist Eugénia Cunha.