Approximately 400 police officers, according to the president of the SPP, demonstrated today in Lisbon between the national PSP headquarters in Penha de França and the Ministry of Internal Administration in Praça do Comércio, demanding higher salaries, a review of allowances, and the removal of restrictions on early retirement, urging that they “not continue to be negatively discriminated against.”
At the end of the demonstration, for which the route was mostly covered in silence, the union leaders submitted a list of demands to the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI).
Addressing the low turnout, SPP president Paulo Macedo told journalists that officers from across the country participated, and the number was “as expected.”
“It was appropriate and expected, marking the start of another struggle to ensure PSP professionals are not discriminated against in many areas and that we are heard,” he stated, emphasizing that “upcoming initiatives will have an increasing impact.”
Next week, the National Police Union (Sinapol) will conduct a series of street actions to highlight PSP issues and the Independent Police Officers Union (SIAP) will organize a silent protest in the parliamentary galleries on October 27, coinciding with the start of budget discussions for 2026 (OE2026).
Paulo Macedo noted that these protests will receive support from various PSP unions, as seen today, where the demonstration, organized by the SPP, the second-largest PSP union, included participation from other police union structures, namely Sinapol, SIAP, Autonomous Police Union Association (Asapol), and the Police Union for Order and Freedom (SPPOL), the latter two without negotiation rights with the government.
The National Guard Officers Association (ANOG) had pledged to attend the protest at the MAI, but reporters did not observe any representatives from this body, although Paulo Macedo assured their presence in Praça do Comércio.
Within the framework of discussions initiated early this month by the Minister of Internal Administration with PSP unions and GNR associations, the SPP is scheduled to meet with Maria Lúcia Amaral on Monday.
“These meetings are not yet part of formal negotiations. It is a social dialogue we have maintained,” he explained, regretting that the government has not included “the much-needed investment” in the PSP in the OE2026.
