The decree is approved with the votes of PS and PSD, which together make up more than two thirds of MPs.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa sent the draft decree renewing the state of emergency from 9 to 23 December to the Portuguese Parliament on Thursday (3 December) evening, but announced that it would be renewed until 7 January 2021.

"After listening to the Government, which pronounced itself in favour this evening, the President of the Republic has just sent the draft decree renewing the state of emergency for the whole of the national territory for a period of 15 days, until 23 December, to the Assembly of the Republic for its authorisation", a note published on the Presidency of the Republic's website reads.

The President justified the "further renewal until 7 January" with the need to allow the Government "to adopt measures necessary to contain the spread of the Covid-19 disease and already announce measures planned for the Christmas and New Year periods".

This is the sixth renewal of the state of emergency of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic, to be in force from 9 to 23 December, and will be debated and voted on in Parliament.

It will be renewed for a further 15 days, covering the Christmas period and the New Year's Eve from 24 December to 7 January.