AGP Executive Report

EU Kids Act Push: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposes a ban on social media for children under 13, “mini accounts” for ages 13-14 supervised by parents, and safer platform design from 15 onward, with possible penalties for non-compliance. Energy Protest Pressure: Rising fuel costs tied to the US-Iran conflict are driving protests and road blockades, including in Portugal, as diesel hits record highs and governments weigh subsidies versus inflation and debt. Settlement Trade Sanctions: The UK says it will ban goods and services linked to illegal Israeli settlements and act with a wider coalition; France confirms it will end trade with settlements alongside 11 other countries. Lisbon/Portugal Travel Rules: EU entry/exit system (EES) rollout is set to affect short stays, with a published list of 29 exempt countries plus Cyprus and Ireland. Azores Airlines Privatisation: Portugal’s SATA Holding short-lists six investors for non-binding bids on selling at least 75% of Azores Airlines, as part of an EU-approved restructuring plan. F1 Calendar for Portugal: Formula 1 confirms Portugal’s return in June 2027 and a record 10 Sprint weekends, including Monaco’s first Sprint.

Israel-Settlement Sanctions: UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband says a two-state deal is “unlikely” soon while London moves to ban goods and services tied to illegal Israeli settlements, targeting specific companies and individuals; France confirms it will end trade with settlements alongside 11 other countries. EU Child-Online Rules: The European Commission is set to unveil proposals to curb addictive social media features for minors as more countries restrict access for under-15/16s. F1 Calendar and Portugal Return: Formula 1’s 2027 schedule locks in 24 races and a jump to 10 sprint weekends, with Portugal back on the calendar in June and Monaco getting a sprint for the first time. Lisbon-Linked Housing Pressure: Airbnb plans to fund affordable housing after rent backlash, a move that underlines how short-term rentals are reshaping housing politics across Europe, including Portugal. UNIFIL Safety Call: Ten EU countries, including Portugal, urge all sides to protect UN peacekeepers in Lebanon after recent deaths.

EU Trade & Settlements: France and the UK moved to ban trade tied to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with France saying it will act alongside 11 other countries and the UK targeting specific companies and services that enable settlement expansion. EU Border Controls: Nine EU states, including Portugal, delayed full rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES) as officials cite airport queues and technical problems, while Italy and Spain extended reciprocal border checks amid the Ceuta migrant crisis. Lisbon & Portugal Housing Pressure: Airbnb announced it will fund affordable housing after rent backlash, stepping into supply—while still facing criticism over short-term rentals’ impact on affordability in places including Portugal. Portugal Energy Costs & Protests: Skyrocketing fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict sparked demonstrations, including protests in Portugal over rising costs and disruption. EU Politics & Civic Life: A European Parliament-linked push for stronger civic education surfaced in Bulgaria, arguing the Lisbon Treaty’s participatory tools only work when schools teach how EU institutions function.

West Bank Sanctions Push: The UK says it will ban goods and services tied to illegal Israeli settlements and target specific firms and individuals; France confirms it will end trade with settlements alongside 11 other countries, framing it as necessary for security of both Israelis and Palestinians. Norway Hardens Stance: Norway’s foreign minister says a proposed settlement-trade ban could bring prison terms up to three years, though the government calls the direct economic impact limited. Portugal on the Record: Portugal’s foreign minister Paulo Rangel denounced “strangulation” of the West Bank from settlement expansion, arguing it makes a two-state solution “practically impossible.” Lisbon Infrastructure & Aviation: Portugal’s Infrastructure and Housing minister Miguel Pinto Luz opened GSE Expo Europe 2026 in Lisbon, spotlighting electrification, autonomy and digital fleet management for ground handling. Lisbon Urban Regeneration: A Marvila master plan aims to revive a neglected Lisbon district with public amenities, green infrastructure and housing. EU Travel Rules: Europe publishes which nationalities are exempt from EES registration, while nine Schengen states delay full rollout. Democracy Watch: A new report says democracy has declined across Europe, with Portugal among countries recording setbacks.

West Bank Settlements Sanctions: Portugal’s FM Paulo Rangel warned in Lisbon that Israel’s E1 settlement plan and “brutal strangulation” of Palestinian tax revenues are making a viable two-state solution “totally incompatible,” citing also the closure of Christian schools in East Jerusalem. EU/UK Coalition Pressure: The UK says it will sanction specific firms and individuals tied to settlement expansion, while France confirmed it will end trade with settlements alongside 11 other countries—moves Portugal has backed. Norway Hardens Stance: Norway is considering a bill that could bring up to three years in prison for trading with illegal settlements, with parliament votes expected this autumn. Lisbon Angle: The settlement trade fight is now directly shaping diplomatic fallout, including Israel’s response to the UK/France/Canada consulate measures. Transport Links: United Airlines announced nonstop Newark–Terceira (Azores) service starting summer 2027, a boost for tourism and U.S.-Azores ties.

EU Sanctions on Settlements: The UK, joined by France and 11 others including Portugal, says it will ban trade in goods and services tied to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with potential penalties for companies and individuals involved in construction, infrastructure, finance and real estate. EU Border Policy: Brussels has informally allowed at least nine Schengen states, including Portugal, to delay full rollout of the Entry-Exit System to “maintain border fluidity” after summer airport chaos. Energy & Climate Debate: Spain is pushing the EU for a climate adaptation fund and backs a permanent windfall tax on energy firms, reviving a fight over how to handle “exceptional profits.” Lisbon Tech & Economy Angle: A new study highlights renewed resilience in southern eurozone economies, including Portugal, even as the eurozone outlook stays subdued. Portugal in the Spotlight: Portugal is also named among countries considering settlement trade restrictions, and appears in the EES delay list.

EU Border Policy: The EU has reportedly shelved full rollout of its entry-exit system in nine Schengen countries, including Portugal, citing “maintain border fluidity” after airport chaos and software problems. Middle East Trade Sanctions: The UK move to ban goods and services linked to illegal Israeli settlements is now spreading: France and Canada have followed, with Portugal among a wider coalition weighing similar steps. Lisbon Politics & Society: A new poll claims the far-right Reconquista could win 5.2% if it registered, tapping voter anger at feeling “like foreigners.” Governance Watch: Portugal-linked headlines also include an ACC corruption probe into Bangladesh’s Asif Mahmud, while EU housing rules and construction “physical progress” measurement standards point to tighter oversight trends across Europe. Culture & Public Life: A Lisbon lawsuit accuses Big Tech of building addictive apps—another reminder that regulation is moving from borders to screens.

EU Border Policy: France and eight other Schengen states, including Portugal, have been granted an indefinite delay on fully enforcing the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System, citing tech limits and fears of border chaos—Brussels says it’s about keeping “border fluidity.” Middle East Trade Sanctions: The UK’s settlement-goods ban is spreading: France and Canada have joined the coalition, with Portugal among countries weighing similar steps, as governments move from warnings to targeted restrictions on services and financing tied to illegal West Bank settlements. Lisbon-Linked Immigration Pressure (US): In the US, advocates say ICE activity remains high in Lewiston and Auburn, adding strain to immigrant families and keeping arrests in the spotlight. Portugal Climate Adaptation: Portugal is urging EU funding for livestock grazing (goats, cows, sheep) to cut wildfire risk, arguing the Common Agricultural Policy should treat farmers as part of the climate solution. World Cup Politics: FIFA reiterates no decision yet on the 2030 final venue after Morocco’s federation chief claimed Benslimane would host it, while Spain and Portugal keep their bids alive.

EU Foreign Policy & Sanctions: The UK has moved to ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements and target companies providing services that help settlement expansion, and France has now followed with a similar end to trade in settlement goods alongside a wider coalition of countries. Lisbon & EU Climate Policy: Portugal is pushing the EU to fund livestock grazing (goats, sheep, cows) to clear wildfire-prone vegetation, arguing it’s both a wildfire and emissions tool. Portugal Energy Costs: Diesel prices are forecast to hit another record high in Portugal next week, while petrol should fall slightly after changes to the Petroleum Products Tax discount. World Cup 2030 Politics: FIFA says no final decision has been made on the 2030 final venue after Morocco’s federation chief claimed it would be in Benslimane, with Portugal and Spain still in the running and Jose Mourinho publicly backing the Bernabéu. Lisbon-Adjacent Governance: A Portuguese group is suing Meta, TikTok and YouTube over addictive design, adding pressure to platform regulation debates.

Settlement Sanctions Ripple: The UK says it will ban imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and will sanction specific companies and individuals tied to settlement expansion (construction, infrastructure, financing, real estate). EU/Portugal Angle: France and Canada are moving in the same direction, framing it as ending trade that supports a situation threatening Israelis and Palestinians—an issue that also lands in Portugal’s foreign-policy orbit as EU states weigh how far to go. World Cup Venue Fight: Morocco’s PM Aziz Akhannouch has rebuked federation chief Fouzi Lekjaa after he claimed Morocco would host the 2030 final, while FIFA says no venue decision has been made yet; Mourinho meanwhile says he’d like the final in Lisbon. Lisbon Diaspora Politics: Portugal’s African diaspora in Lisbon is set for the third “Marcha Cabral,” linking anti-racism and decolonisation to today’s climate and land crisis. Fire Risk Funding: Portugal is pushing the EU to fund grazing by goats, sheep and cows in wildfire-prone areas, using EU money to clear flammable shrubbery.

Settlement Trade Sanctions Spread: UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband says Britain will ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and target specific companies and individuals tied to settlement expansion, with France and Canada moving in step and a wider coalition of European states backing the approach. Portugal in the Coalition: A joint statement backed by Portugal (alongside France, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Spain and Sweden) renews support for a two-state solution and calls for a ban on imports from settlement products. EU Diplomacy Fight: Inside the EEAS, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas warns of institutional turmoil as plans to reshape the bloc’s diplomatic service intensify amid a tougher global environment. EU Outer Regions: The European Commission unveils a strengthened strategy for outermost regions, including Madeira and the Azores, aiming to adapt EU rules to local realities. FIFA Pressure Mounts: FIFA president Gianni Infantino still hasn’t answered a US House Judiciary Committee request, while Morocco’s federation continues to claim the 2030 final will be in Casablanca—FIFA says no decision has been made. Lisbon Tech Footprint: FuriosaAI says it has a Lisbon base as it expands AI inference infrastructure across Asia-Pacific.

FIFA Governance Clash: France’s football federation has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid, adding to a growing European pushback over FIFA’s governance and tournament-investment plans. World Cup Politics: Morocco’s federation chief Fouzi Lekjaa says the 2030 final will be in Benslimane at the Hassan II Stadium, but FIFA insists the venue decision will be made “in due course,” keeping Morocco–Spain–Portugal rivalry alive. Lisbon Digital Rights: Portuguese group D3 has sued Meta, TikTok and YouTube in Lisbon, accusing platforms of addictive “keep-you-hooked” design like infinite scrolling and personalised feeds. EU Outer Regions: The European Commission unveiled a strategy to tailor rules and boost investment in the EU’s outermost regions, including Portugal’s Azores and Madeira, with a focus on connectivity, jobs and innovation. Middle East Trade Sanctions: Eight Muslim-majority countries backed the UK’s move to restrict trade tied to illegal Israeli settlements, urging wider international action. Portugal–Pakistan Agriculture: Portugal signalled interest in expanding olive-sector cooperation with Pakistan, including training and a joint working group.

UK Settlement Trade Sanctions Ripple: Eight Muslim-majority countries (including Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the UAE) welcomed the UK’s move to restrict trade tied to illegal Israeli settlements, urging wider international action and accountability. Portugal Housing Heat: Portugal posted the biggest real house-price jump in the BIS data (+15.2% y/y in Q1 2026) as foreign investment and luxury demand outpaced a global slowdown. Lisbon Aviation Watch: A former ACI chief warned airports against “tech for tech’s sake,” saying projects can waste money unless RFPs set clear, measurable outcomes—an issue highlighted as Lisbon hosts a major aviation event. TAP-TAAG Talks: Angola’s TAAG and Portugal’s TAP opened a commercial and operational dialogue in Lisbon, focusing on Luanda–Lisbon connectivity and potential network synergies. EU Outer Regions Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a new strategic vision for outermost regions, including Portugal’s Azores and Madeira, aiming to adapt rules and unlock local potential. Benfica Education Push: Benfica launched the Benfica Institute for Sport Excellence in Lisbon, rolling out courses mixing methodology, research and training for sports professionals. Travel Policy Signals: London’s proposed “tourist tax” could be up to 5% of hotel room costs, with debate over whether a flat rate would be better for business.

UK–Israel Sanctions: Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced new UK economic restrictions targeting Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, saying London believes “ethnic cleansing” is taking place and stressing support for a two-state solution. Diplomatic Fallout: Lisbon-linked angle appears in the wider coalition: Portugal is named among 12 countries backing settlement trade curbs, while Israel retaliated by ordering the UK to close its East Jerusalem consulate and barring UK figures. Middle East Pushback & Support: Arab and Muslim foreign ministers (including Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Indonesia) welcomed the UK move and urged more countries to follow. EU Housing Rules: The European Commission proposed an Affordable Housing Act to help cities tackle affordability pressures, including limits on non-primary residence use in stressed tourist areas. EU Procurement “Buy European”: Brussels floated tougher public procurement rules that could let buyers prefer EU suppliers in defined cases, stopping short of a blanket quota. EU Court Ruling: The Court of Justice clarified when people can claim compensation for national courts’ breaches of EU law. Lisbon Sports: Sporting CP completed a 3-1 comeback over Galatasaray in Lisbon after going behind early.

West Bank Sanctions Escalation: The UK, joined by France and Canada, has moved to ban imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements and restrict services tied to them, with Portugal among countries signaling support for further action; Diplomatic Retaliation: Israel has ordered the UK to close its East Jerusalem consulate within 30 days and told British diplomats in Jerusalem and Ramallah to leave within a week, while also barring 12 MPs; Two-State Push: A joint statement from 12 countries including Portugal frames the measures as necessary to protect the two-state solution amid settler violence and expansion; EU Housing Policy: The European Commission proposed rules giving cities more room to curb short-term rentals like Airbnb to tackle housing pressure in tourism hotspots; EU Industry Dispute: A new EU procurement plan to allow “European preference” in public contracts is reopening tensions over how far governments can shield local suppliers; Lisbon Angle: Portugal is explicitly named in the settlement-trade restrictions and in the broader European policy response, making the issue a live political thread for Portuguese government and EU-facing diplomacy.

West Bank Sanctions: Britain, France and Canada moved in lockstep to ban imports of goods from Israeli settlements and to target services tied to settlement expansion, as a 12-nation group (including Portugal and Spain) backed wider restrictions over what they call “ethnic cleansing” and “unprecedented” settler violence; Israel retaliated by closing the UK consulate in Jerusalem and expelling diplomats. Lisbon Cultural Politics: Portuguese lawmakers rejected a no-confidence motion over an embattled minister, while in party politics a Venezuelan delegation attended Portugal’s Festa do Avante linked to the PCP, signaling continued left-wing solidarity. Portugal in the Wider EU Orbit: The TAP privatisation process was extended to end-2026 as the government negotiates with Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, keeping airline ownership and state strategy in focus. Business & Policy Spillover: Moderna doubled the list price of its RSV mRNA vaccine, reigniting debate over drug pricing—an issue that will land in European health policy conversations too.