Portugal

While not providing any figures, Portugal has indicated its willingness to accept some of the migrants arriving on the Italian island of Lampedusa as part of the EU solidarity mechanism to alleviate the 'great pressure' on Italy

Lisbon Health Users Commission held a vigil outside Marvila district's unit asking for better service conditions: 50% of users do not have a family doctor and only nine professionals serve around 25.000 residents

Lisbon (+4,7%) is in the top 10 of the world fastest-growing luxury residential market, which continues to be led by Dubai (+48,8%), Tokyo (+26,2%) and Manila (+19,9%) in the annual growth table issued by platform Idealista

Nationalist far-right party Chega! has tabled a bill proposing windfall tax on bank profits to finance housing support programs through a temporary solidarity grant, arguing that it would be an "effective and fair" measure

Spanish rail company Renfe is planning to fill the gap in the market for high-speed trains to Portugal, establishing direct connections from Madrid to Lisbon and Porto perhaps as early as 2024, when Portugal’s first high-speed line is set for completion

Supermarkets and convenience stores in Lisbon will be able to operate 24 hours during World Youth Day 2023, from 1 to 6 August, but they won’t sell alcohol from midnight onwards

The memorial honoring victims of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church in Portugal will not be presented at the World Youth Day 1-6th August as “it is still being studied”; the memorial was controversial since it was announced

The Government will extend VAT zero basket until the end of the year, an exceptional and temporary application of VAT exemption for 44 essential food products that aims at mitigating the impact of inflation

Applications to obtain Portuguese nationality increased by about 37% reaching 74.506 last year compared to 2021; it is the highest figure in four years, said Foreigners and Borders Service SEF

A new tobacco law has been approved: it bans smoking at beaches, public swimming pools and water parks as well as next to certain public buildings such as schools, hospitals, restaurants and will be effective starting October 2023

Tonight, St. Anthony Day's eve, the matchmaker Saint, 16 couples will be married in Sé Cathedral in Lisbon; a tradition since 1958, now the ritual includes press and TV coverage and live broadcast and is sponsored by the City and local wedding planners

A new 5 euros coin will enter into circulation today 1st June; 30.000 coins will be issued and can be used in Portugal only

Parliament has approved medically assisted dying with 129 pro votes and 81 cons, thus making it compulsory for President de Sousa to sign the reform within eight days from its publication in the official Gazette