The leader of the socialist party, José Luís Carneiro, expressed criticism over comments made by the prime minister concerning housing conditions in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Speaking at a campaign rally for Ana Paula Martins’ re-election as mayor of Tavira, Faro district, Carneiro objected to remarks suggesting that illegal housing structures were primarily found in socialist and communist municipalities.
Carneiro challenged the government’s approach to housing needs, arguing it was unjust to place blame on local mayors for issues that are constitutionally the responsibility of the executive. He highlighted the willingness of municipal leaders to develop local housing strategies to support the government’s priorities, expressing disappointment that their efforts were being overlooked.
He urged the prime minister to visit Almada, where 800 illegal constructions reportedly stand on state land, noting that the city’s mayor has been seeking a government resolution to this situation for two years without response.
Furthermore, Carneiro recalled a pledge made by Luís Montenegro regarding the Algarve Hospital project, announced to launch in October. He pointed out that as of June 2024, a year and a half will have passed since a parliamentary committee claimed the project specifications were ready for tender.
Carneiro emphasized the importance of this project for regional healthcare and stated the socialist party’s vigilance over its progress, promising full support to ensure its completion.
In Tavira, where the socialist party narrowly won the 2021 local elections, Carneiro also criticized the government for what he described as failures in the education system. He invited the Minister of Education to visit Tavira to witness firsthand the shortage of teachers for certain subjects.
In related comments, PSD leader Luís Montenegro stated that illegal housing has re-emerged in socialist and communist-run areas, asserting that social-democrat mayors were not ignoring these issues. Montenegro’s remarks were made during a luncheon with Lisbon district mayors, focusing on housing and security challenges.
[Updated at 22:01]
