Portugal debates voluntary military service amid soaring legal claims and housing affordability woes
The government is considering a voluntary military service starting in 2027, while Brisa's lawsuits against the state have surged and housing has become the toughest market in the OECD.
In an interview, Nuno Melo expressed a desire to introduce a voluntary military service by 2027, allowing recruits to assess whether a military career fits their expectations. Meanwhile, Brisa has intensified its litigation against the state, filing claims that total more than 2,388.2 million euros to restore the financial balance of highway concessions. A former president of the PSP union, Manuel Dionísio Câmara, received a four-year suspended prison sentence for diverting union funds.
Portugal now leads the OECD in housing unaffordability, with the cost of homes rising sharply relative to household incomes. The language-technology firm Unbabel was sold for $5.7 million, a fraction of its prior valuation that was roughly 44 times higher. Business reports note that rising energy prices are boosting earnings for Galp and EDP, while industrial companies face pressure from higher costs.
Why it matters
These developments affect Portugal's defence policy, fiscal liabilities, housing market stability and key sectors of the economy.
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