Portalegre judicial resources shortage prompts parliamentary inquiry

The Socialist Party (PS) has formally questioned the Portuguese government regarding a critical shortage of human and material resources within the Portalegre Comarca. In a parliamentary inquiry addressed to Minister of Justice Rita Alarcão Júdice, 11 deputies expressed concern over the “increasing pressure” affecting the functioning of justice in the region.

The inquiry follows warnings from Hélder Cordeiro, the Deputy Attorney General and Coordinator of the Portalegre Comarca, who described the current situation as a “challenging, complex and high-pressure moment.” During a ceremony for the inauguration of new Public Ministry magistrates, Cordeiro highlighted that the scarcity of human resources has evolved from an abstract threat into a “daily barrier” that tests operational limits.

Cordeiro noted that the lack of magistrates and judicial staff has resulted in an immense psychological burden and excessive workload for existing professionals, who must manage thousands of processes with reduced teams to meet procedural deadlines. The Socialist Party is now seeking information on the government’s assessment of these shortages and what urgent measures will be taken to reinforce human resources and technological infrastructure in the region.