Government Initiative Needed for Legislative Clarity
“The government must adopt a legislative initiative that clearly encompasses this type of vehicle, confirming that municipalities have the authority to manage and license the circulation of these vehicles,” stated the mayor. Rui Moreira spoke to reporters after the Administrative and Fiscal Court (TAF) of Porto allowed 12 tourism operators to circulate freely in the city center without restrictions.
Judicial Ruling on Tourist Vehicles
At the heart of the matter is a pilot project that began on October 1, 2024, which aimed to restrict the movement of tourist vehicles in the downtown and central areas of Porto. This ruling marked the first judicial victory for tourism operators following five previous decisions that had upheld the city’s regulations.
Call for Legislative Simplification
“If there are doubts about the acceptance of the law, the court’s decision indicates that the law is not clear. If the law is ambiguous, it should be simplified. If what the legislator intended to convey in the law is unclear and leaves room for interpretation by judges, then it should be amended to be explicit,” he emphasized.
Appeal to Political Forces
Following the suspension of restrictions on all tourist vehicles in Porto’s downtown and central areas, the independent mayor called on political forces and the parliament to take action. “I know it is often more interesting to have inquiry commissions and investigations, evaluating and suspecting one another, but the truth is that municipalities currently lack the tools to meet the expectations of their citizens,” he remarked.
Collaboration Among Political Forces
Expressing that he does not aim to regulate an activity but rather the public space, Rui Moreira highlighted the existence of a “broad understanding” among political forces on this issue. “There is significant political consensus, and what we need are tools that enable us to meet citizens’ expectations,” he stated, indicating that he will request the government and the Assembly of the Republic to spend “some time legislating.”
Next Steps for Legislative Action
According to Moreira, this appeal will be formalized in a proposal for recommendation, which will need to be submitted for deliberation by the executive and the Municipal Assembly, and subsequently to the Assembly of the Republic and the government.
Read Also: City Council Suspends Restrictions on All Tourist Vehicles in Porto’s City Center.
