Portugal

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year

87

(2023)

Notes:

Data refers to laws passed by legislative session, e.g. for the legislative session of the XIV legislature from 25 September 2019 to 14 September 2020.

Five of the 217 laws adopted during the 2019-2022 legislature were initiated by the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira.

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Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature

“Legislature” refers to the full period between the first session of a new legislature until it’s dissolution.

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140

(2024-03)

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Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament

In some cases other entities have the right to initiate legislation in national parliaments – such as citizens, autonomous regions, and other high-level government institutions.

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55

(2024-03)

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Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government

In some cases other entities have the right to initiate legislation in national parliaments – such as citizens, autonomous regions, and other high-level government institutions.

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85

(2024-03)

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Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature

The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of the laws adopted that were initiated by parliament by the total number of laws adopted in the previous legislature.

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39%

(2024-03)

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Dates of the previous legislature

Refers to the full period between the first session of a new legislature until it’s dissolution

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29 Mar 2022 to 25 Mar 2024

(2024-03)

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Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State

In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.

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Yes

Sources: Constitution, art. 136

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Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year

In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.

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14

(2023)

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Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation

Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation: Not applicable; No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected; The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination; The legislation is referred to the Constitutional/Supreme Court;The legislation is put to a referendum; Other (please specify)

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The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination

Other

Notes: Failure by the President of the Republic to enact or sign any of the acts provided for in Constitution Article 134(b) means that that act is legally nugatory.

Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree

Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree: Not applicable; Parliament; Head of State; Constitutional/Supreme Court; Other (please specify)

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Not applicable

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Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation

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There is a procedure for introducing emergency legislation into parliament

In some countries, the Constitution may allow the government to submit emergency legislation to parliament. The provision may, for example, allow the government to set a deadline for parliament to debate a particular bill. The procedure may also be referred to differently depending on the parliament, for e.g., urgent proceedings. In general, this is a formalized procedure that involves speeding up the passage of legislation by circumventing normal processes.

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No information available

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