Grândola Mayoral Candidate Proposes Desalination Plant and Housing Reform
Sónia dos Reis, the social-democrat candidate for mayor of Grândola, has outlined a detailed platform focused on sustainable development, housing, and managing the region’s critical water resources. In an interview with O Setubalense, the current Member of Parliament presented her case for a change in leadership after years of communist party rule, arguing for a new approach to the municipality’s most pressing structural issues.
Central to her vision is a re-evaluation of Grândola’s booming tourism sector. Reis, who previously advocated for a partial suspension of the municipal development plan (PDM) to study tourism’s impact, calls for a model that respects the area’s natural resources and infrastructure capacity. “Tourism is important, but it cannot develop to the point of overloading infrastructure, natural resources, and the land use planning itself,” she stated, emphasizing the need for balance. She also expressed strong reservations about certain Projects of National Interest (PIN), such as the proposed Lagoa Salgada mine, citing a negative opinion from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) regarding public health risks and stating it must be reformulated.
Addressing the structural problem of water scarcity in the Alentejo, Reis introduced the possibility of constructing a desalination plant in Grândola. She acknowledged it would be a “considerable investment” but framed it as a necessary measure to guarantee water supply for the local population, agriculture, and tourism in the face of a potentially stressed aquifer. “Desalination is not a whim,” she affirmed, expressing confidence that both private tourism developers and the national government would be sensitive to the solution if an audit reveals a critical water situation.
On housing, another key issue, Reis differentiated her proposals by committing to “aproveitar todas as oportunidades de construção de habitação, potenciadas pelo Governo” (take advantage of all housing construction opportunities, promoted by the Government), which she claims the current executive has ignored. Her plan includes investing in land across all parishes and, notably, creating dedicated housing for essential professionals. “Finalmente, criaremos habitação destinada a professores, médicos e enfermeiros e profissionais das forças de segurança que, muitas vezes, deixam o nosso concelho, por falta de resposta,” she explained, promising to reserve homes for teachers, doctors, nurses, and security forces who often leave due to the lack of affordable housing.
Reis also pledged to improve mobility, support the local agricultural sector, and strengthen the volunteer fire department. She stressed her intent to foster a closer, non-ideological partnership with the central government to advance key projects, citing the current administration’s delay in submitting school renovation projects for PRR funding as a “danosa para a comunidade escolar” (damaging for the school community). Asserting that “Grândola virá sempre primeiro” (Grândola will always come first), Reis positioned herself as a determined and objective leader ready to guide the municipality toward a more prosperous and balanced future. Understand policy impacts on your Portugal property plans at realestate-lisbon.com.
