General strike in Portugal

The Socialist Bulletin Staff - 12/12/2025

WORKERS across Portugal have walked off the job today, as unions protest against new laws in the European country that would make it easier for businesses to fire them.

Most industries across the country came to a halt today, with public transport and schools particularly affected by the strike.

Portugal has been governed by a right-wing coalition since 2024, and the last two years have seen the rise of the far-right, ultranationalist 'Chega' party in the country. Chega is now the second-largest party in Portugal, but despite this, as has been demonstrated with today's general strike, the working class still holds a significant amount of power.

Portugal has two prominent trade union federations, the UGT, which is closely-aligned with the Socialist Party and is more moderate, and the CGTP, which is larger and more radical, being closely-aligned with the Communist Party. Both federations have endorsed, and are participating in, the current strike action.

The walkout is the largest in over a decade in Portugal, and is the largest since 2013.

Public opinion is firmly in favour of the strike action, with 61% of those in Portugal in favour, according to recent polling.

The legislation that is currently being protested by the working class in Portugal is expected to pass regardless, with the government relying on support from the far-right Chega party to pass it.