Portugal’s government cracks down on freebies for officials

LISBON, Portugal – Portugal’s government is introducing a code of conduct that prohibits high-ranking public officials from receiving gifts worth more than 150 euros ($170).

The code adopted Thursday came after senior government officials caused an outcry by travelling to the recent European Championship soccer tournament in France at the expense of national energy company Galp.

Galp is locked in a tax dispute with the government. Portugal’s opposition parties and media outlets rebuked the three deputy ministers for accepting the company’s invitation because the free trip could be seen as compromising their integrity.

Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva said that if refusing a foreign gift worth more than the threshold might cause offence, the recipient would have to hand it over to the government’s administrative services.