Biweekly debates are conducted in alternating formats, one initiated by the Prime Minister and the next by the parties, in rotation. This time, it is the turn of the Social Democrats to question Luís Montenegro first, followed by Chega, PS, IL, Livre, PCP, CDS-PP, BE, and PAN, in a discussion scheduled to last 113 minutes.
Key issues for the opposition in the debate are expected to include the draft reform of labor legislation proposed by the government, currently under discussion in social concertation, which has prompted a general strike called by the two major unions for December 11. This is the first strike of this government and the first since 2013, when Portugal was under the troika’s intervention.
This week, both the Prime Minister and the PSD highlighted the significance of this “labor law reform” for the country’s economic growth, alongside two other reforms: of the state and taxation.
In an event with business leaders in Santa Maria da Feira (Aveiro) on Tuesday, Luís Montenegro argued that the country will not move forward from the “same old story” unless it proceeds with changes to the labor legislation, taking advantage of the “favorable condition” currently being experienced.
The reduction of the tax on petroleum products announced a week ago by the government—already criticized by PS and Chega—the situation in healthcare, the execution of European funds, and the state of justice may also be topics raised by the opposition in the debate with the head of government.
On Thursday, the government approved a new regime for the return of foreigners illegally present in Portugal during the Council of Ministers. This measure will be open for public consultation starting today, before proceeding to parliament.
The day prior, the magazine Sábado published a summary of wiretap transcripts involving former Prime Minister António Costa, in the context of Operation Influencer, a Public Prosecutor’s investigation into the installation of a data center in Sines, which led to Costa’s resignation in November 2023.
The last biweekly debate with Luís Montenegro in parliament took place on September 24 and was marked by announcements in the housing sector and calls for opposition responsibility in the 2026 State Budget, which has since been approved in a final global vote with the abstention of PS.
Following the biweekly debate, the Prime Minister will address deputies on the upcoming European Council, scheduled for December 18 and 19, 2025, which is expected to focus on Ukraine’s financing and negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034).
