Portugal's Socialist Party calls for minister to explain mobility subsidy law

The Portuguese Socialist Party (PS) has demanded an urgent parliamentary hearing with the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, over the implementation of the new Mechanism of Territorial Continuity, which replaces the former Subsídio Social de Mobilidade. The party alleges the government is arbitrarily deciding which laws to obey, calling the minister’s stance “trumpismo”.

The law, approved by parliament on 10 April and in force since 6 June, removes the ceiling on eligible travel costs and detaches reimbursements from contributors’ tax status and receipt requirements. PS deputies say the electronic platform for submitting reimbursement claims is not updated, forcing families to act as “the state’s bank”. They warn of a “serious risk of judicial contestation” if the law is not applied.

Minister Amaro described the removal of cost caps as a “tremendous irresponsibility” and said the government is seeking a “possible solution” within existing legislation, noting pending initiatives from the regional assemblies. The party urges an immediate parliamentary clarification, citing potential legal disputes and the need for proper regulation of the new regime.