Government bid to limit power of ‘professional orders’ passes first parliamentary hurdle

A controversial bid by PS Socialists to limit the power of ‘professional orders’ (ie the General Medical Council/ Bar Association/ General Nursing Council) has passed its first parliamentary hurdle by dint of abstentions. PSD Social democrats, left-wingers Bloco de Esquerda, PCP and PEV, as well as IL (Iniciativa Liberal) and one non-ascribed MP all declined to vote either way. CDS (centre right) and Chega (right) both rejected the diploma which seeks to ‘reinforce supervision of professional orders by an independent organ’. This developing legislation is considered controversial as professional orders tend to be ‘thorns in the side’ of PS governments.