Council of State set for 2 November

Portugal's President António José Seguro has convened the Council of State, the body that advises the head of state, for 2 November at 15:00 at Belém Palace in Lisbon. The agenda is social cohesion. The notice was published on the presidency's official website on Friday, 23 October. It is the second Council of State meeting Seguro has convened since taking office on 9 March. The first, held on 17 April, dealt with security and defence.

Parties heard first

On Wednesday, 21 October, the president invited the parliamentary parties to individual hearings on the same topic, scheduled for 29 October. That date falls the day after the parliamentary vote on the 2027 State Budget in generality. The sequence puts the party consultations ahead of the advisory council's session, so the parties are heard first and the councillors second.

Appeal amid housing protests

On Monday, 19 October, Seguro called for a broad understanding between the government and the opposition parties so that urgent and lasting measures can be adopted. He made the call against the backdrop of protests for the right to housing. In his words:

“It is necessary to look at this problem seriously and with everyone's contribution. That is my appeal.”

The president has repeatedly voiced concern about social and territorial cohesion, warning about socioeconomic inequalities and the difficulties that rising prices have caused in Portugal. The two summonses, set close together, reflect that concern, which the protests over the cost of living and access to housing have sharpened.

Timeline of the process

The sequence runs from the start of Seguro's term to the planned Council of State session, with the party hearings falling in between.