Lisbon, Jan. 30, 2026 (Lusa) - Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has reminded Roberta Metsola of the importance of the European Parliament in "providing rapid and effective support" from the European Union (EU) in recovering from the damage caused by Storm Kristin in Portugal.
The Portuguese head of government responded in this way on social network X on Thursday evening to the expression of solidarity by the speaker of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
The Maltese politician also said on social network X that Europe "stands in solidarity with the Portuguese people at this time as they continue to face the consequences of Storm Kristin".
"On behalf of the European Parliament, I share the pain of those who have lost loved ones and my thoughts are with all those affected. I also thank all those who are working tirelessly, day and night, to protect lives and restore services," she added in a note in Portuguese.
"You are not alone," she added in the same publication, in which she identified Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
Also on Thursday, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed to Luís Montenegro "the deepest sympathy" for the deaths and damage caused by the storm, assuring him that the EU "is ready to support Portugal's recovery through our fastest and most effective mechanisms".
Luís Montenegro had already announced on X that he had spoken to Ursula von der Leyen, whom he thanked for "her commitment, solidarity and words of recognition for the teams on the ground".
"In our conversations, the focus is on ensuring the rapid and effective support of the EU in the recovery from the natural disaster that has struck Portugal," the prime minister stressed.
Von der Leyen said in the same post on social network X that the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Joergensen, "arrives in Portugal on Thjursday night to collaborate with the authorities, who are still assessing the full extent of the damage", on a visit that was already planned - focused on the issues of affordable housing and energy interconnections - and which will now include this dimension.
On Wednesday, via the same social network, Dan Joergensen indicated that the EU government is available to provide support and is in "close contact" with the authorities in Portugal and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity due to the power cuts resulting from the storm.
The passage of storm Kristin through mainland Portugal on Wednesday left a trail of destruction, causing at least five deaths, according to Civil Protection, several injuries and displaced persons. The Marinha Grande municipal council has since reported another fatality in the district.
Fallen trees and structures, road and transport service disruptions, particularly railways, school closures, and power, water, and communication outages are the main material consequences of the storm.
Leiria, where the storm entered the country, Coimbra, and Santarém are the regions that have suffered the most damage.
The government declared a state of emergency between midnight on Wednesday and 11:59 p.m. on 1 February for around 60 areas, a number that may increase.
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