Responding to statements made by the presidential candidate António José Seguro, the secretary-general of the Socialist Party (PS), José Luís Carneiro, stated on Wednesday that he agrees with the use of electronic bracelets for those convicted of forest fire crimes but noted that it is “a measure already possible to adopt for a group of individuals identified by judicial authorities.”
In comments aired by SIC Notícias, Carneiro emphasized that “this measure is already determined by the administrators of Justice” and that “it can be applied.”
“It is a measure that is already possible to adopt for a group of individuals identified by judicial authorities,” he said.
“Naturally, I express my agreement with a measure that can already be applied and can be extended as long as within the terms that legality allows,” he added.
In an interview with Diário de Notícias, presidential candidate António José Seguro advocated on Monday for immediate and concrete measures regarding fires.
Pointing out that the police forces “have a set of potential arsonists identified and start talking to them” during the spring, “as a form of surveillance,” Seguro considered that “it is impossible to have man-to-man surveillance.”
He suggested, “We need to be aware that these people need to be monitored. An electronic bracelet or a similar situation should be applied, and it should be applied now. Because, while it’s true temperatures have dropped now, nothing guarantees that September and October won’t bring major fires again. It doesn’t solve everything but helps to minimize.”
António José Seguro argued that the state must ensure an “effective response” to those affected by the fires that have ravaged the country in recent weeks, so they do not feel abandoned. Regarding his role as a potential President, he promises not to exclude “any Portuguese.”
Natacha Nunes Costa | 08:42 – 20/08/2025
The PAN also submitted a bill on Monday in the Assembly of the Republic requiring that all those convicted of forest fire crimes who are free be mandated to wear an electronic bracelet from May to October.
In a statement, the sole deputy of PAN indicated the introduction of five initiatives, three bills, and two resolutions in response to the fires that have battered the country in recent weeks. The party aims to “combat the devastating scenario of fires” and “address the lack of strategy that the Government is demonstrating.”
One of the bills aims to amend the Penal Code so that “all those convicted of forest fire crimes who are at liberty” must wear an electronic bracelet annually from May to October.
Demos ontem entrada de 5 iniciativas p/ uma maior prevenção e dotação de meios financeiros para o combate aos incêndios.uma das medidas do @Partido_PAN é que os incendiários condenados e com pena suspensa, com medida acessória de permanência na habitação usem pulseira electrónica pic.twitter.com/DYeg4mJu3V
— Inês Sousa Real (@InesSousaReal) August 19, 2025
It should be noted that mainland Portugal has been affected by multiple large-scale rural fires since July, particularly in the North and Center regions.
The fires resulted in three casualties, including a firefighter, and several injuries, some severe, destroying or partially damaging several primary and secondary homes, as well as agricultural and livestock operations and forest areas.
Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, under which two Fire Boss planes arrived to aid in combating the fires.
According to provisional official data, as of August 20, more than 222,000 hectares have burned in the country, exceeding the total burned area for the entire year of 2024.
