This chapter analyses the Portuguese government’s use of blame avoidance strategies in two cases of reform required by EU conditionality. Although the Portuguese government was known for supporting policies in both instances, the politicisation of the measures differed. First, the Portuguese labour market reforms faced considerable headwinds and the social partners increasingly politicised the measures. In line with the theoretical framework, the analysis of blame avoidance strategies shows that the Portuguese government primarily employed a self-defence approach. Second, there was little politicisation of the liberalisation of regulated professions from professional associations and opposition parties. Confirming the theoretical expectations, the analysis of blame avoidance strategies shows that the Portuguese coalition government mainly focused on problem denial in this instance.