“It is a subversion of an investment that received public support with the permissiveness and complicit licensing of the Funchal City Council,” stated the leader of Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP), Élvio Sousa, in a statement.
The Funchal municipality, led by Cristina Pedra, is governed by the coalition Funchal Sempre à Frente (PSD/CDS-PP), holding an absolute majority. This situation was initially brought to light by councilors without a portfolio from the Confidence coalition, led by the PS.
The opposition councilors warned that at least one unit in a block of 48 apartments, constructed by a housing cooperative with controlled costs and inaugurated at the end of last year, is being marketed as local accommodation (AL). This action violates city council regulations and the principle of controlled-cost housing.
JPP, the largest opposition party in Madeira’s parliament with 11 deputies, will therefore request an “urgent parliamentary hearing” with the president of the municipality and the president of the housing cooperative responsible for the project to seek explanations regarding the case.
