Algarve tolls listed for parliamentary debate

a22The elimination of tolls on the Algarve’s motorway is back on the political agenda with new proposals from the Left Block and CDU, demanding the scrapping of the regional toll system, being debated in parliament on February 8th

The Algarve’s ‘Via do Infante Users’ Commission,’ CUVI, is demanding a toll-free Algarve to be established as early as 2019.

MPs hopeful of accessing Caixa Geral's bad loan book

caixageral2If the President of the Republic signs off the law allowing the naming of large debtors to banks, the parliamentary committee of inquiry into the past behaviour at Caixa Geral de Depósitos will be able to access information on problematic bank loans, despite ‘banking secrecy’ which has been used to hide many of the details.

'OK in the Bible' domestic violence Judge to be disciplined

gavelJudge Neto Moura is to be punished for suspending a domestic violence sentence as ‘the woman had a lover.’

Justifying his sentence with quotes from the Bible, the out-of-touch judge will be subject to disciplinary action.

Car group slams Minister's 'don't buy a diesel' comments

exhaustComments by the Environment Minister about the folly of buying a diesel car, due to a predicted low resale value, have been pounced on by the PSA vehicle manufacturing group, saying the statement has caused, “uncertainty and alarm among customers.”

In an interview published Monday in the Jornal de Negócios newspaper, minister João Pedro Matos Fernandes said that it is, "very evident that anyone who buys a diesel car, in four or five years it’s not going to have much resale value."

Many British retirees lose free healthcare in 'no deal' Brexit

brexitLenBritish nationals who moved to retire in EU countries, including France and Spain, will have no local healthcare cover in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit.

Pensioners currently receive local treatment reimbursed by the NHS under EU reciprocal arrangements.

Portugal's 'fight against corruption' is at a standstill

euromillions2Portugal’s widely proclaimed ‘fight against corruption’ is at a standstill, according to Transparency and Integrity whose latest report points out continuing public scandals involving corruption and lack of ethics, and the alleged attempts of political control over the Supreme Councils of the Judiciary and the Public Ministry.

The Corruption Perceptions Index 2018 shows Portugal slipped from 29th to 30th place in the 180 country ranking, losing the one place gained in 2017.

Minister of Culture owns shares in company that does work for the State

parliamentThe Minister of Culture, Graça Fonseca, owns part of a company that had direct contracts with public entities for a total of €988,000.

One of these contracts was with Lisbon Council, where Graça Fonseca was a Councilor.

'Makes no sense to buy a diesel' says Environment Minister

vw“It will not make any sense to buy a diesel car," said the Environment Minister, adding that, "It is very evident today that anyone who buys a diesel car, in four or five years its not going to have much trade-in value."

João Pedro Matos Fernandes explained that the equivalent cost of buying an electric car will be very close and that, if it is charged at home, the price per kilometre is 15% of the cost of running a diesel.