1. Almost 200 Portuguese Parishes Come Together to Fight Fire
As of this weekend, 182 parishes in Portugal have joined a solidarity network created by the national association of parishes (Anafre) to connect local officials in need of aid after the recent fires, especially in the north and center. The network will remain active for other crises, such as floods. On the first day of the platform’s availability, 182 parishes registered, providing information about their resources to tackle fires and other emergencies. The platform aims to link parishes directly, facilitating the distribution of support, and improving communication in times of need.
In the past week, almost 120,000 hectares burned, mainly in Viseu and Aveiro, resulting in seven deaths, around 120 injuries, and the destruction of several homes and facilities. The damage to infrastructure has left many communities in urgent need of reconstruction support. Currently, there are no significant ongoing incidents due to less favorable weather conditions for large fires.
The solidarity network allows parishes to request or offer materials and equipment, enabling neighboring parishes to help minimize damage. Jorge Veloso, president of Anafre, emphasized the importance of this platform for ensuring that aid reaches the most affected areas. This initiative, sparked by the fires, will also be used for future crises, such as floods, ensuring continuous support and communication between parishes. The network reflects a growing sense of community and resilience in the face of natural disasters.
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2. No Fines for Companies That Miss VAT and Withholding Deadlines Due to Wildfires
The Portuguese Government has decided not to impose fines on companies affected by wildfires that fail to meet VAT and withholding tax deadlines this Friday, according to the Order of Certified Accountants (OCC). After discussions with the Secretary of State for Fiscal Affairs, the Government is developing a mechanism to waive the penalties for companies and accountants unable to comply due to the fires. The OCC had requested earlier this week that the Government either extend the deadlines or remove the consequences, as the fines are “extremely high.”
Initially, the Government refused to extend the deadlines but promised to find a solution for the fines. Following criticism from the OCC, a commitment to create an exceptional mechanism was made. Paula Franco, president of the OCC, expressed relief that “common sense prevailed” and hopes that the process will be straightforward without the need for legal assistance. The mechanism will apply to all affected parties, with final details still to be confirmed. The OCC continues to stress the need for clarity and simplicity in the solution to ensure proper protection for businesses and accountants impacted by the wildfires.
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3. Fado Returns To Alfama in September
The Caixa Alfama festival returns to Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood on September 27-28, regaining its original name from 2013 to 2017 and some of its former vitality. Known for bringing almost fifty fado artists to various venues in the historic district, the festival is now a well-established event in the city. This year’s lineup includes top male performers like Camané, António Zambujo, Ricardo Ribeiro, and Marco Rodrigues, along with the acclaimed Carminho. Despite some less exciting editions and the temporary loss of its original sponsor, Caixa Alfama remains a significant event in Lisbon’s cultural calendar.
The festival pays homage to fado legends Fernando Maurício and Amália Rodrigues. The first day includes a tribute to Maurício by fado singer Jorge Fernando and others, while the second day features a concert by younger performers honoring his legacy. Amália is celebrated with a live edition of Em Casa d’Amália, featuring performances by António Zambujo and Carminho. Additional highlights include Paulo Bragança, Marina Mota, and Nuno Guerreiro, with concerts spread across various venues in Alfama, including churches, cultural centers, and the Fado Museum.
Several locations (Alfama). September 27-28 (Friday-Saturday). 25-45€
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4. ‘Heróis do Mar’, Lisbon’s New Fish and Seafood Festival, Happens in October
Heróis do Mar, a new fish and seafood festival, will be held in Lisbon from October 3 to 6 at the Doca da Marinha. The festival features ten restaurants led by renowned Portuguese chefs, such as José Avillez and Justa Nobre, alongside international chefs like Quique Dacosta from Spain, Rafael Costa e Silva from Brazil, and Moreno Cedroni from Italy. Visitors can enjoy dishes from these chefs, attend talks on fish consumption and tourism, and participate in exclusive banquets, including a €250 meal by Quique Dacosta and José Avillez on October 4.
The event will offer 700 seats for tastings, with discussions on the restaurant industry crisis and tourism’s role in seafood consumption. The festival highlights local Lisbon restaurants with diverse culinary styles, from traditional Portuguese to international influences like Japanese and Brazilian cuisine. Special presentations from chefs such as André Cruz and Vítor Matos will take place, along with cooking classes and a gourmet market. Concerts celebrating Lusophone music will be held each night, featuring artists like Lura, Matias Damásio, GNR, and Mallu Magalhães. The festival, produced by Essência and supported by Turismo de Portugal, aims to become an annual event showcasing Portuguese fish and seafood.
Schedule: October 3-4, from 5:00pm to 12:00am; on the 5th, from 12:00pm to 12:00am; and, on the 6th, from 12:00pm to 10:00pm.
Price: the entrance costs 5€ and includes a Riedel glass and a wine tasting and two waters, access to concerts, classes, talks and presentations. Tastings in restaurants cost between 5€ and 20€.
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5. Big Portuguese Companies Inject Their Own Funds into Entrepreneurship
Large Portuguese companies, some over a century old, are investing their own funds in entrepreneurship, fostering a dynamic corporate venture capital (CVC) scene in Portugal. EDP, NOS, CTT, and Sogrape are leading strategic investments that enhance innovation in their operations and support the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Together, these companies have €173 million to invest, part of which is already supporting national entrepreneurship. EDP Ventures, launched with €150 million, has €73 million invested across 40 companies in 12 countries. This has led to “more than €115 million in contracts” between EDP and startups like ChemiTek, Arquiled, and Probely, proving the “strategic value” of these partnerships.
NOS has committed €10 million to the NOS 5G Fund, investing in six Portuguese startups that can benefit from 5G technology. These include Reckon, Knok, and Didimo, with more investments planned. CTT, through its 1520 Innovation Fund, has invested in eight startups, such as Neuralshift, which uses AI to improve delivery operations. Sogrape Ventures, with €5 million to invest, has already seen “more than 80 startup applications” and is preparing its first investment, highlighting the potential of partnerships with startups to drive disruptive technologies. The focus on co-innovation and strategic collaborations is transforming these businesses and boosting Portugal’s entrepreneurial landscape.
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6. Quinta do Crasto Anticipates “a Good Year of Harvests with Good Quality Grapes”
Despite challenges such as labor shortages and rising costs, this year is shaping up to be a promising one for grape quality in the Douro region. Many producers are optimistic about the harvest, with expectations similar to 2023, when the region produced high volumes of grapes, enough to yield millions of bottles of wine. The Douro’s unique terroir, with its microclimate, sun exposure, and soil, continues to offer exceptional conditions for growing high-quality grapes, crucial for both Port and Douro DOC wines.
At Quinta do Crasto, for example, this year’s harvest is expected to reach around 1.3 million bottles of wine, similar to last year’s production. Although the lack of labor remains a significant concern, particularly due to the rural exodus, some vineyards have managed to offset this issue with an increasing number of immigrant workers. Additionally, the steep terrain in the Douro makes mechanizing the harvest difficult, further driving up costs. Nevertheless, the region’s wine producers remain hopeful, noting that “the Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has immense potential,” and the quality of grapes this year could lead to exceptional wines.
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7. Grândola Will Alter its Municipal Master Plan to Increase Tourism Capacity
Grândola is set to amend its Municipal Master Plan (PDM) to increase its tourist capacity from 14,294 to 17,153 beds, thanks to an inter-municipal agreement on tourist intensity redistribution with Santiago do Cacém and Odemira. This proposed change, currently in public consultation until October 7, allows Grândola to respond to the high number of pending or suspended requests for prior information (PIP), which anticipated surpassing the municipality’s maximum tourist capacity of 14,915 beds. The agreement, based on the Alentejo Regional Spatial Planning Plan (PROTA), permits redistributing tourist capacity when the municipal limits are exceeded.
In 2022, Grândola had suspended the PDM in certain areas to prevent real estate speculation and halted new tourist developments. However, recent negotiations with five municipalities in the Alentejo Litoral region have resulted in a consensus that Grândola, with the highest tourist demand, should increase its capacity. Santiago do Cacém and Odemira will cede a total of 2,859 beds, the maximum allowed under PROTA. The proposal also allows for licensing tourist accommodation in rural areas and urban centers, ensuring that valid previous authorizations and favorable environmental impact declarations are respected.
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8. Will the Portuguese President Call for New Elections?
Palácio de Belém (the President’s office) remains silent on the report that President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will call early elections if the State Budget for 2025 is rejected. The report, citing a source, claims that if Parliament votes down the budget, Marcelo will opt for new elections, excluding options like governing by twelfths or presenting a rectifying budget. Concerns over the consequences of rejecting the budget, such as a potential credit rating downgrade or delays in PRR payments, are reportedly driving this decision. An official source from the Presidency refused to comment on the matter.
Earlier in September, Marcelo had already dismissed the possibility of a rectifying budget, calling it unfeasible: “How can a government that sees its budget rejected present a rectifying budget proposed by those who rejected it?” In June, Marcelo also noted that political solutions must adapt to changing situations, acknowledging the importance of passing the budget to maintain economic balance. He emphasized that “a budget that would be good to pass” is critical to avoiding instability.
With three weeks until the 2025 budget submission, negotiations between the Government and PS are on hold due to wildfires, while the PS’s key proposals, focused on Health and Education, remain central to unlocking a budget agreement. These proposals, alongside earlier demands to abandon IRS Jovem and corporate tax reductions, are decisive for the Socialists to support the budget. The looming risk of political deadlock could push Marcelo to trigger early elections, marking the third in less than three years.
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9. Police Closes One Side of the 25 of April Bridge to Arrest Suspects
Ponte 25 de Abril was closed in both directions for an hour on Wednesday for a PSP operation to arrest three suspects involved in jewelry store robberies in Fátima. The PJ, with the support of the PSP, pursued the suspects after they fired at police in Fátima, and the chase ended on the bridge. The men, considered “very violent,” were arrested after attempting to flee, with one even trying to climb the bridge structure. Train traffic was briefly halted, causing a five-minute delay.
The PJ believes the group may have committed other robberies. The investigation started after a similar robbery on August 28 in Fátima, and the suspects were monitored closely. Thousands of euros in stolen goods were recovered, including items from the latest robbery. The suspects, aged 19 and 24, have prior criminal records for armed robbery. The PJ had been tracking the suspects, and when it was deemed safe, they were arrested on the bridge. The group is considered dangerous, and the PJ hopes their criminal activity has now been stopped.
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10. Portuguese Doctors Comment on the Minister’s Order on Vacation Adjustments
Doctors have strongly criticized the Ministry of Health’s new decision as “abusive and unilateral.” The order mandates hospitals to revise doctors’ vacations whenever staffing shortages affect emergency teams. FNAM, the National Federation of Doctors, argues that the vacations were already approved by hospital administrations in April and altering them won’t solve the problem but will worsen conditions for “exhausted” teams. They insist that changing vacations without a state of emergency “won’t guarantee more doctors” but will increase dissatisfaction among overworked staff.
Health Minister Ana Paula Martins defended the decision, stating its aim is to secure winter staffing for hospital emergencies. She added that exceptions would be made for “personal or family reasons.” However, FNAM counters that their proposed solutions to the medical staffing crisis were ignored. They argue that “motivating doctors” is key to resolving the issue and call for the restoration of the five-day vacation compensation for those who take leave during off-peak periods, to ensure more availability during high-demand seasons.
Doctors are set to strike on September 24 and 25, urging professionals and the public to join a protest outside the Ministry of Health in Lisbon to demand better working conditions and stronger support for the National Health Service (SNS).
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