José Luís Carneiro announced a “new political contract for democratic local power” during today’s meetings of the PS national secretariat and the National Association of Socialist Mayors, where Sónia Sanfona was elected as the leader on a single list. These meetings were held in Leiria.
The president of the Alpiarça City Council will lead the National Association of Socialist Mayors for the next four years, succeeding Pedro Ribeiro, who previously led the Almeirim City Council and is now a councilor in Santarém.
Aiming to “ensure even more transparency in democratic local power, particularly in its culture of accountability and also with control over how public resources are regulated,” Carneiro revealed plans to propose in the Assembly of the Republic for the government to restore the general inspection of local authorities. This move is designed to have both an educational and regulatory role in political functions.
Carneiro also advocated for a new local finance law, “to build on the work done by the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities, led by President Luísa Salgueiro.”
This new law should “strengthen the financial resources of municipalities.” “Our municipalities barely contribute to the overall state revenue” (12%). “We aim to reach the average of 16% and acquire more financial means to better address people’s needs,” he added.
The socialist further stressed the need to “better fund municipalities that uphold collective interests.”
“We must ensure that these municipalities, unable to use part of their territory for economic development, yet committed to providing services to the national community in areas like the environment and culture, are also supported by the state to preserve these cultural and environmental values,” he emphasized.
José Luís Carneiro stressed that “democratic local power is essential to community life,” providing solutions for “primary health care,” “housing policies and needs,” as well as “transportation, mobility, quality of life, and well-being.”
He reiterated the PS intent to propose a new electoral law for local authorities, “to provide more stability to municipal executives, while enhancing their ability to respond swiftly to population needs.”
“At the same time, empowering Municipal Assemblies to observe, oversee, and scrutinize the municipal executive body,” the socialist clarified.
The secretary-general stated that the PS also aims to “ensure that regional powers maintain their democratic nature.”
“To this end, there has been dialogue with the government to not only maintain the model of electing presidents of Regional Coordination Commissions but also to sustain the election of one vice president by municipal mayors. Similarly, contributing to the election of a second vice president by regional councils, representing all regional entities,” he explained.
According to José Luís Carneiro, this represents “one of the most significant reforms in decentralizing public powers and bringing powers closer to populations and communities,” aiming for the future goal of political regionalization of the country.
