Lisbon, June 19, 2026 (Lusa) - The Government’s proposal to revise Portuguese labour legislation was rejected on Friday in the first reading and vote, with the right-wing Chega Party and the parliamentary left voting against it, after André Ventura’s party failed to reach an agreement with the Social Democrats (PSD).

The motion received votes in favour only from the parties supporting the Government (PSD-CDS-PP) and the IL.

PS, Livre, PCP, BE, PAN and JPP joined Chega’s parliamentary group in voting against the proposal.

Following the rejection, there was a long round of applause from all the benches on the left, as well as from those present in the gallery, including the CGTP union leader, Tiago Oliveira, who was visibly moved.

Once the applause had died down, the speaker of parliament, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, warned MPs that this sort of behaviour “is not acceptable under the Rules of Procedure” and regretted what had happened, as those in the public galleries are not permitted to express their views.

The outcome of the vote remained uncertain until the very last moment, with negotiations taking place between the PSD and Chega. The Chega parliamentary group, led by Pedro Pinto, even requested that proceedings be suspended for half an hour before voting began.

The Chega leader had announced that he would vote against the Government’s proposal at the first reading if it remained as it stood, and went on to set out a number of demands. Before the vote, he met twice with the prime minister and PSD leader, Luís Montenegro, in the parliament building, São Bento.

Chega Party leader André Ventura placed particular emphasis on lowering the retirement age – even going so far as to demand a written commitment from the Government – as well as the restoration of holiday days, the protection of the rights of breastfeeding mothers, leave for grandparents to care for their grandchildren, and enhancement of the conditions for shift workers.

On Wednesday, during the fortnightly debate, the prime minister had expressed the Government’s willingness to amend the proposal, but pointed out that “such a compromise” would only be possible if the initiative were approved at the first reading, when questioned by the leader of Chega.

However, in response to the leader of the Liberal Initiative (IL), Montenegro indicated that he does not support lowering the retirement age, as demanded by Chega.

During Thursday’s parliamentary debate on the Government’s proposal, Ventura went so far as to claim that his party would “secure the greatest victory for workers in recent decades”.

JMF/AYLS // AYLS

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