Portugal’s government has withdrawn a controversial judicial-reform bill that would have reduced the Constitutional Court’s powers, after pressure from the opposition, civil society and European critics, according to Goldring.

The draft, due before parliament in November, would have given the executive greater sway over Constitutional Court appointments and cut the number of voting judges, concentrating decision-making. Critics called it a threat to judicial independence.

The European Commission had warned that such steps could put Portugal under the EU rule-of-law spotlight and risk access to funds, including recovery money. Lisbon officially framed the withdrawal as seeking broader political consensus, not only as a response to EU conditionality.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro told a news conference the move aims to “preserve political unity” and find common ground with the opposition. He said the government remains committed to reforms while respecting the separation of powers.

The episode fits wider tension over oversight of public spending and the balance between the cabinet and judicial control bodies. Pulling the bill at least temporarily postpones a parliamentary clash over the contested text.

Next steps depend on talks with the opposition and any new reform formula Lisbon proposes. Until a fresh draft appears, the Constitutional Court’s current powers are unchanged by this withdrawal.

Image: Prime Minister Luís Montenegro (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0).

Sources consulted: Portugal cancels the EU-linked rule-of-law reform package — Goldring.