The Portuguese Council of Ministers on 9 April approved a package of structural measures that marks a new phase in the reform of the State, focusing on reforming financial control and accelerating public decision-making, alongside strengthening support to the economy in the face of rising energy costs. The proposed new law on financial control and the organization of the Court of Auditors is among the reforms considered most significant in public administration. Its aim is to reduce bureaucracy and shorten the time from problem identification to solution, bringing Portugal in line with European practices. During the presentation, the Minister for the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, stressed the need for greater speed in public action: “The State must do what Portuguese people ask most: decide and execute.” The reform redefines the Court of Auditors, concentrating it on the legality of financial operations and removing interventions in public policy choices. The Government also approved the creation of the Portugal Energy Resilience line, worth 600 million euros, to support companies most exposed to rising energy costs. Through the Bank of Development, the State provides public guarantees covering 70% of capital for medium and large enterprises and 80% for smaller ones, enabling more favorable financing terms.
The measure comes in a context of inflationary pressure and higher energy costs, with direct effects on the cost of living, following other responses already adopted, including fuel subsidies, subsidized gas cylinders for vulnerable families, and support for the agricultural sector. “We are acting at the right moment, in a balanced and decisive way,” the Minister said, framing the measures as part of the response to the international crisis. In health, two decrees were approved to better control public spending, estimated at about 7 billion euros in medicines and medical devices. The revision of the medicine statute eliminates a non-clinical justification that allowed blocking generic dispensing, promoting generics and reducing costs for families and the State. Concurrently, the reform of the Health Technology Assessment system strengthens transparency and results-based evaluation, ensuring equitable access to innovative therapies and combating waste. Additionally, the funeral subsidy for children and people with permanent incapacity was increased from around 268 euros to 1,611 euros, removing a contributory career limitation. The Council of Ministers also approved simplifying the regime for issuing commercial paper by companies, reducing administrative burdens and creating alternatives to bank financing, as well as changes to the rules, regime and framework of Lisbon’s Metro, broadening its scope and allowing new public transport solutions.
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