On 17 October, Parliament approved a bill prohibiting face coverings in public for 'gender or religious' reasons, with exceptions for places of worship, airports and diplomatic premises, and for health, professional or artistic purposes. Proposed by the right-wing Chega party under the rationale of protecting women’s rights and ‘cultural preservation’, the law will effectively restrict the wearing of burqas and niqabs, which are worn by some Muslim women for religious reasons. Violations will carry fines of up to EUR 4,000 and forcing someone to cover her face may result in up to three years’ imprisonment. Rights groups have expressed concerns that the bill will disproportionately impact a minority of Muslim women. The law is now pending a review by the Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee, which may introduce amendments. Following the review, it will proceed for a final parliamentary vote before being sent to President Rebelo de Sousa for potential ratification, a decision for which he will have 20 days. 

Sources: Associated Press, Euronews, Público, EFE, The Resident 

On 8 August, the Constitutional Court ruled several parts of a new immigration reform that had been approved by Parliament on 16 July and referred for review by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to be unconstitutional. The bill aimed to tighten family reunification rules for immigrants. The Court found that measures such as imposing a two-year waiting period before applying, excluding spouses and adult children, extending processing times and limiting judicial appeals violated protections of family unity. However, it upheld provisions granting preferential treatment to Golden Visa holders and highly qualified workers. As a result, the law has not taken effect, with Parliament expected to revise it when it reconvenes in September.

Sources: Reuters, La Vanguardia, Público

On 18 May, Portugal held a snap legislative election after the minority government of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a confidence vote. The Democratic Alliance (AD) won the election with 31.8 per cent of the vote, securing 91 seats in the 230-seat parliament. Chega emerged as the second-largest party, receiving 22.8 per cent of the vote and 60 seats. The Socialist Party (PS) also polled 22.8 per cent of the vote but won 58 seats. Voter turnout reached 58.2 per cent, down from 59.8 per cent in the last election in 2024. A total of 77 of the 230 seats in the new Parliament were won by women (33.5 per cent), down from the previously held 80 seats. Following the election, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa invited Montenegro to form a minority government, which was sworn in on 5 June. This marks the third snap legislative election held in the country in three years.

Sources: EuroEFE, Comissão Nacional de Eleições, Ministry of Interior of Portugal, International IDEA, IPU Parline

On 23 October, a police officer fatally shot 43-year-old Odair Moniz, originally from Cabo Verde, leading thousands to protest police violence in Lisbon in a demonstration organised by Vida Justa, a rights organisation. In parallel, riots broke out around Lisbon resulting in injuries, torched vehicles, and 16 arrests. The police allege that Moniz fled and resisted arrest on the night of the shooting, and initially claimed that Moniz was armed with a knife. The officer involved has been charged with manslaughter, and both the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration and the police have opened investigations into the incident. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had previously expressed concern over the excessive use of force by Portuguese police, particularly against people of African descent. 

Sources: PSP, Euractiv, The Guardian, Reuters, Vida Justa, Publico