According to data from the Portuguese Public Prosecutors’ Union (SMMP), collected by 3:00 PM today, there was an 85% participation rate in the strike at both the Palace of Justice and the Justice Campus in Lisbon, where trials were postponed, notably a hearing concerning the BES Angola (BESA) case. Participation was also recorded at 70% in Almada’s Palace of Justice and 80% in Seixal.
The SMMP actions protest the prosecutor assignments designated by the Superior Council of the Judiciary, and the union announced on Thursday its intention to file an injunction to suspend this decision.
In the Lisbon District, participation in the strike was 35% at the Departments of Investigation and Penal Action (DIAP) and 23% at the Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DCIAP).
In the Lisbon West District (Sintra), DIAP had a 92% strike adherence, and other civil, criminal, and general competencies averaged 58%, while Amadora had 75%, Cascais 96%, and Oeiras 80% participation.
In the Lisbon North District (Loures), civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and labor sections experienced a 63% stoppage, with Vila Franca de Xira and Alenquer at 50%, and Torres Vedras and Lourinhã at 40%.
Madeira reported a 72% adherence, while the Azores had a 70% participation.
These regional general prosecutor strikes, on the eve of judicial holidays, follow two days (Wednesday and Thursday) of national strikes with an average adherence of 90%, with upcoming strikes scheduled for Monday at the Porto Regional Prosecutor’s Office and Tuesday at the Évora and Coimbra regional prosecutor’s offices.
As with the national strike, the SMMP protests over multiple alleged violations of the right to strike, citing instances of replacing striking magistrates with non-strikers for non-emergency duties, and designating magistrates willing to strike for minimum services when non-strikers were available.
In response to these alleged violations, the union states, in a communiqué, that it will “initiate proceedings and act accordingly.”