Lower standards
Portugal’s standard of living, compared with the EU, has been ‘overestimated’, says a new study, explaining that data did not take into account “the entire foreign resident population”, many of whom have limited purchasing power. Óscar Afonso, coordinator of the study by Porto University’s Faculty of Economics, considers that the 2023 data showing Portugal ranking 18th in Europe should be revised downwards to see the country drop to 19th place.
Leiria burglaries
Shopkeepers in Leiria are described as concerned by a wave of criminal damage and burglaries that has been affecting the town in recent months. The latest assault involved an attack on a pizzeria which suffered broken windows, albeit no money was stolen. PSP police have said they are “highly focused on combating crime”, but at the same time have advised shopkeepers and restaurateurs to “expand measures of self protection”.
Luxury cars
A Porsche and an Audi, stolen in Switzerland years ago and valued at around €68,000, have been recovered by the GNR in a warehouse in Santa Maria da Feira (Aveiro district). The vehicles were reported stolen in 2017 and 2020 respectively. Two male suspects have been identified (but not arrested). One of the men has a “criminal record for trafficking and tampering with cars and crimes against property”.
Municipal elections
With the municipal elections on October 12 following national elections in which PS Socialists were ‘decimated’ and pushed into 3rd place behind CHEGA, CHEGA leader André Ventura has announced that his party (now the country’s second political force) will be fielding candidates in all 308 municipalities. In fact Ventura has actually said that his party’s goal is to win in Lisbon and ‘give the capital back to the people’.
Residents’ registration
Foreigners residents in Portugal can vote in municipal elections. But in order to do so they need to ‘register to vote’ at their local ‘freguesia’ (parish council) before August 12. Documents required are a valid residency card, a valid passport and a utility bill. The importance of being on the electoral roll goes beyond the power of the vote, it ensures the municipality receives adequate funding from central government.
Madeira tourists
In the last three years, 13 tourists have lost their lives in the wooded escarpments of Madeira. Various others have disappeared without trace. This week Civil Protection has delivered a warning, stressing that the number of fatalities has been increasing, due to tourists ‘taking risks’, leaving official trails, or simply being unprepared for a potentially long hike. Appeals are for holidaymakers to ‘think’ before they set out on any excursion.
Angola warning
After all the bonhomie of the official visit of the Angolan president, the Portuguese embassy in Angola has brought matters back into stark focus, warning that no visits should be made to the Angolan capital, Luanda, unless absolutely necessary. Rioting by taxi drivers due to increases in the cost of fuel has brought thousands of people onto the streets, with incidents of looting, shootings and a breakdown of order.
