The Minister of the Interior guarantees security at the WYD and refuses to succumb to the “blackmail” of union protests.

On Tuesday, the interior minister dismissed any threat to the country’s security from strikes and security demonstrations planned for World Youth Day (WYD) and refused to negotiate “under blackmail.”

On the sidelines of a ceremony marking the 156th anniversary of the Public Security Police (PSP) held Tuesday at the national headquarters in Lisbon, José Luis Carneiro responded to union demands for wage increases based on protests. scheduled for WYD, with a forecast of a 20% average increase in police pay by 2026, moments after PSP National Director Magina da Silva defended the urgency of a pay review in the face of the current context in a speech.

Stressing that all investments cannot be made “at once”, José Luis Carneiro recalled that the issues raised by police unions are still in the process of being negotiated with the government, which refuses to succumb to pressures such as planned protests.

“We cannot act either under pressure or under blackmail, neither you govern the country, nor you can govern the Ministry of Internal Affairs. […] The right to demonstrate is a democratic right that must be respected in its entirety, but this cannot be natural due to the pressure of demonstration that we will be able to give more or less. The work we are doing is serious work, it is a serious, constructive dialogue,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs.

On this occasion, Magina da Silva stressed the constitutional right to demonstrate and that “the police have always been able to distinguish between those on duty and those who are not on duty.”

“The right of the PSP to demonstrate in no way contradicts the Herculean mission before us, which I am sure will be fulfilled,” he said.

José Luis Carneiro did not want to set a date for the submission of the WYD mobility plan and the overall security plan, citing the decision of the secretary general of the internal security system, but the national director of the PSP put forward July 14 as a possible date. , ensuring that plans for the event, which will take place from 01 to 06 August, are completed.

Regarding the impact on those who live and work in Lisbon, Magina da Silva said the work was carried out with “the principle of minimum impact” in mind, but acknowledged that “there will inevitably be a major impact” that will be addressed. “as less as possible”. “Not wanting to move forward, for example if the Eixo Norte-Sul in Lisbon is closed to bus parking, but acknowledging the greater impact near major event venues.

By the anniversary of the PSP, the Minister of the Interior also said that, together with the Ministry of Justice, a proposal was being developed to introduce a legislative amendment to the sanctions regime against aggressors from elements of the security forces, which “in the coming weeks” should be finalized in order to proceed to the approval of the Council of Ministers.

Asked about news released on Tuesday by Diário de Notícias that investigations into hate crimes allegedly committed by social media agents of the security forces could be delayed due to difficulties in obtaining evidence, José Luis Carneiro said the investigation is the responsibility of the Attorney General’s Office (GP), and work is underway on “confirmation of evidence”, a process that will allow the investigation to continue.

“We do not want to replace the institutions of the rule of law,” the minister said.

Answering the question whether it is also possible to postpone the investigation, which the Ministry of Internal Affairs instructed the Main Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGVI), also to postpone, the minister said that “a dialogue took place between the IGVI and the deputy”, the purpose of which is “effective for ongoing investigations” and to provide solid evidence .

The minister also abandoned any intention to revise the PSP and GNR statutes to allow access to the automatic three-day sick leave envisioned by the unions, Público reported on Tuesday.

José Luis Carneiro has not yet confirmed the possible departure of Magina da Silva from the national leadership of the PSP to take up the post of liaison officer in Paris, but he did not deny it: “After WYD, I must say that I am going to take some time to focus on this mission external representation of the Portuguese State”.

Magina da Silva, who insisted that his mandate expire on February 3, 2026, also refused to confirm: “I am a man of a mission, I have a mission, now is not the time to talk about it,” he said. said.