Presidential candidate Jorge Pinto, supported by Livre, stated today in Porto that he would veto the labor package proposed by the government if elected in the upcoming elections, deeming it unconstitutional.
Speaking during a signature collection campaign event for his candidacy, Jorge Pinto criticized the prime minister’s comments on the strike announced for December 11, which were labeled as opportunism by the PCP and PS. He described these remarks as highly critical.
“Political opportunism is, perhaps, putting forward more than 100 proposals to amend labor laws without including them in the electoral program; political opportunism is attempting this against the legitimate wishes, desires, and anxieties of workers. That is true opportunism; that is political exploitation,” remarked the candidate endorsed by Livre.
He continued, “As President of the Republic (…) the first thing I would do is request a review of these proposed amendments, as several of them raise legitimate doubts about their constitutionality. Should the Constitution not be respected, I would issue a political veto.”
On Sunday, the prime minister deemed the general strike called by CGTP and UGT “incomprehensible,” claiming it only serves the “interests” of PCP and PS, which “does not reflect well” on the labor movement.
“Frankly, I see no other reason for this stance by the union centrals other than reflecting interests that, in my view, should not prevail, which is the interest of the parties primarily connected to the management of the two federations,” stated Luís Montenegro.
Maintaining his critical tone, Jorge Pinto argued that the labor package under discussion represents “a setback” not seen in decades concerning “the labor rights of the Portuguese,” highlighting that it constitutes “attacks on workers, but also attacks on their families because it compromises their right to time, the chance to spend more time with family.”
“We are talking about facilitating dismissals, undermining the right to strike laws, and making it difficult to access job reintegration in case of dismissal. It is a brutal assault, the likes of which we have not witnessed for many decades, and the announced general strike by the two inter-union federations, something not seen in over 10 years, clearly demonstrates what is at stake,” emphasized the candidate.
Also questioned about the labor package comments made by IL-supported candidate João Cotrim de Figueiredo, regarding the alleged “benefits of precariousness,” Jorge Pinto challenged the candidate “to speak with those already in precarious positions and ask how easily they can obtain a bank loan or sign a rental contract for a house.”
At a campaign event outside the Faculty of Arts of the University of Porto, Jorge Pinto expressed his desire to connect with everyone. Concerning young students, he conveyed the message, “if they are disillusioned, join this campaign,” urging them to turn “that disillusionment into hope and concrete policies.”
The elections are scheduled for January 18, 2026.
