This morning, Álvaro Santos Pereira, the successor to Mário Centeno, stated in his inauguration speech that there is a housing shortage in the country and that promoting construction is crucial, with local authorities playing a significant role. In response, Livre’s spokesperson, Rui Tavares, noted a “certain oscillation” in Pereira’s stance.
“I note that there is a certain oscillation from Álvaro Santos Peralta regarding what his role as Governor is and isn’t. He had said that as Governor, the Bank of Portugal should not engage in political opinions, but apparently, he took to it very quickly,” stated Tavares, highlighting some “inconsistency.”
The Governor of the Bank of Portugal emphasized the importance of reducing municipal restrictions on construction, asserting that there are more “numerous restrictions on construction than a lack of economic incentives.”
Tavares argued that “Portugal needs, evidently, more construction” as well as extensive “rehabilitation of existing constructions that need to be made available and put on the rental market for people.”
He advocated for the conversion of buildings like “courthouses, prisons, barracks, and old hospitals” into housing, emphasizing that the electoral program of the coalition between Livre and BE, led by João Martins, in the Vila Nova de Gaia City Council aims to “transfer these buildings to public ownership” and “out of the speculative market.”
“There is a significant role for municipalities. But if it’s just deregulation, if it’s just the kind of work Luis Montenegro wanted to do with land law, we’re essentially occupying land to build poorly when we haven’t yet rehabilitated what could be rehabilitated,” he argued.
The deputy expressed that his “expectation” now lies with the outgoing governor, Mário Centeno, who “as of today, seems to be a free man.”
Tavares did not wish to clarify whether he was encouraging Centeno to reconsider a potential presidential candidacy, simply stating that “there is a very important reflection to be had concerning politics in our country” and that everyone is needed in this reflection.
Mário Centeno declared in January that he was not available for a candidacy in Belém. Livre has yet to choose a candidate to support in the presidential elections.
