International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

The general strike in Portugal scored points, but the future is uncertain

Antonio Louçã — 2026-06-11T22:15:59Z

The general strike of June 3rd paralysed a significant number of businesses and services. There is a widespread awareness among the working class that the package of dozens of labour laws represents a mortal threat to their future.

- IVP617 - June 2026 / Portugal, Trade unions/workplace organizing

General Strike Rejects Labour Reform Package Once Again

Adriano Campos — 2026-06-06T11:23:00Z

“It's turning out to be a major general strike; the data we have from last night shows workers are determined to treat today as a major day of struggle,” said the CGTP's General Secretary in the morning outside one of the striking schools in Lisbon.

- IVP617 - June 2026 / Portugal, Trade unions/workplace organizing

In the face of climate catastrophe, Portugal mobilizes vote against the far right

Jorge Costa — 2026-02-10T07:07:34Z

António José Seguro was elected President of the Republic of Portugal on Sunday with 67% of the vote, comfortably beating the neo-fascist candidate he faced in the second round, André Ventura (33%).

- IVP613 - February 2026 / Portugal

New neofascist advance in presidential elections

Jorge Costa — 2026-01-21T10:46:38Z

“The reduction in the electoral strength of the left is an invitation for activists to reflect on the fragmentation of this camp. In the downward spiral of the last three years, the only time the left has made its mark on the public debate to contest popular opinion was during last December's general strike, called jointly by the CGTP and UGT against the new labour laws that the government wants to impose.”

- IVP612 - January 2026 / Portugal, Far Right

Portugal ‘doesn't need to wait for Europe' to condemn attack on Venezuela

Catarina Martins — 2026-01-04T12:56:29Z

Reacting to Trump's attack on Venezuela, Catarina Martins argues that the role of a President of the Republic is to make an unequivocal condemnation of the violation of international law and do everything to protect the Portuguese community in that country.

- Venezuela 2026 / Portugal, Venezuela

Big success for general strike in Portugal

Antonio Louçã — 2025-12-29T09:56:44Z

Portugal's minority right-wing conservative government (Democratic Alliance) planned to survive thanks to the parliamentary support, alternately, of the Socialists (PS) or the far right. It succeeded in getting the general state budget for 2026 adopted thanks to the abstention of the PS and then intended to pass a set of new employment laws with the complicity of Chega (far right). However, the general strike of 11 December has plunged this project into uncertainty.

- IVP611 - December 2025 / Portugal, Trade unions/workplace organizing

The general strike demonstrates that struggle can open up paths for the left

Jorge Costa — 2025-12-18T09:48:33Z

“The general strike, the first since the days of the Troika, was called by the two main trade union confederations, CGTP and UGT, which has only happened in half of the ten general strikes held since the end of the dictatorship.”

- IVP611 - December 2025 / Portugal, Trade unions/workplace organizing

Towards the General Strike in Portugal - Only the strength of those who work can halt the labour package

Toupeira Vermelha — 2025-11-30T08:20:04Z

The “Draft labour-law reform bill” (the so-called labour package) is a set of more than one hundred regressive amendments to the Portuguese Labour Code presented by the Government of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the CDS – People's Party (CDS-PP)2, with the support of the Liberal Initiative (IL) and CHEGA, the far-right party. This package constitutes a deliberate and planned programme of rolling back labour rights in Portugal, reviving the offensive launched by Pedro Passos Coelho's Government during the Troika years (2012–2015)3.

- IVP610 - November 2025 / Portugal, Trade unions/workplace organizing

The bromance between André Ventura and Luis Montenegro in Portugal

Françisco Louçã — 2025-11-20T10:47:42Z

The media hype in Portugal about the “survival” of the Bloco de Esquerda (Left Bloc) has the same function as the anti-gypsy posters of André Ventura (president of the far-right Chega party), namely, to distract through a gesture with one hand, while the other takes care of more lucrative tasks.

- IVP610 - November 2025 / Portugal

“There is a strategic impasse on the left on the issue of race”

Mamadou Ba — 2025-11-05T10:30:09Z

“There must be a willingness not to instrumentalise struggles. The left has become accustomed to looking at the movement as an obstacle. The anti-racist movement is one of the essential devices that the left has to combat inequality. The anti-racist movement must not be an appendage, but a force.” Mamadou Ba, leader of SOS Racismo.

- Features / Portugal, Anti-racism and Islamophobia, Racism and Islamophobia