Legal representatives and community leaders across Portugal have received a letter from Eurico Brilhante Dias, expressing “great concern” over comments from the Coordinating Council of Polytechnic Higher Education Institutes (CCISP) on the proposed regulation of university placements for the academic year 2026/2027.
“The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation’s (MECI) intention to allow a general increase of up to 10% in university places, without considering territorial criteria, comes at a particularly sensitive time for the country’s interior,” the Socialist leader stated, warning that “all indicators suggest a risk of worsening territorial inequalities.”
The Socialist Party’s parliamentary leader highlighted that CCISP has described the measure as “‘devastating’ for polytechnics and universities in the interior,” indicating “grave risks to their viability.”
“Without an urgent review of this measure, we are looking at a decision that compromises territorial cohesion, weakens the ability to retain talent, and limits the transformative role of higher education in the country’s interior,” Eurico Brilhante Dias cautioned.
The PS Parliamentary Group deemed the situation “unacceptable” and promised political action to “ensure that any decision on university places respects the principle of territorial equity and guarantees the sustainability of institutions in the interior.”
“Gone are the days when there was a truly national strategy focused on the interior. The Socialist Party will not abandon this vision. We will continue to advocate, alongside municipalities, for policies that enhance the role of higher education institutions as engines of regional development and promoters of territorial cohesion,” the statement continued.
The Socialist deputy urged local officials to engage with the issue and to become active stakeholders “in the discussion and intervention,” advocating for their regions.
On November 19, the MECI suggested that higher education institutions could increase the number of available places for the next academic year, a move that, according to polytechnic leaders, could disadvantage interior institutions.
The CCISP, representing polytechnic institutes, disclosed that the government proposes the total number of places set for national and local entry contests may exceed 10% of the previous year’s initial places, removing restrictions in force in recent years.
