Lisbon Politics: Government Denies Deal with Amadora Mayoral Candidate to Demolish Cova da Moura
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing has issued a public denial of claims made by Suzana Garcia, the PSD-backed mayoral candidate for Amadora, regarding a government housing policy for the Cova da Moura neighborhood. The candidate had announced that she had secured an agreement with the ministry for a strategic initiative to 'eradicate' the informal settlement. The policy objective, as stated by the candidate, was the complete demolition and redevelopment of the area. However, the ministry, led by Miguel Pinto Luz, has refuted this, stating that it 'has not agreed to any program relative to Cova da Moura with the candidacy of Suzana Garcia, nor with any other municipal candidacy.' This public statement from the central government contradicts the candidate's initial announcement.
The implementation strategy and timeline for such a large-scale project would require extensive coordination between municipal and central governments, including significant budget allocation and funding mechanisms. Garcia had initially claimed to the Lusa news agency, 'I already have a program made with the Ministry of Infrastructure. We have been working for about three months on the eradication of Cova da Moura.' Following the government's denial, the candidate's campaign corrected the statement, clarifying that the project is an initiative being developed 'exclusively by her candidacy' and will be 'subsequently presented' to the government for approval and support. The affected population in Cova da Moura is substantial, and any redevelopment plan would have a major social and economic impact.
The candidate's team insists that, if elected, the plan would be supported by the current AD government through 'national programs and specific financing lines for housing and urban requalification.' This suggests a reliance on future political support that is not currently formalized. The political opposition and debate surrounding this issue are intense, given the social complexities of the Cova da Moura neighborhood. The government's statement did not clarify whether any informal conversations had taken place, but it firmly denied the existence of any formal agreement or joint program. The situation highlights the political sensitivity of large-scale urban renewal projects in the Lisbon metropolitan area.
The monitoring and evaluation frameworks for such a project would be complex, involving multiple state agencies. The public disagreement between a prominent candidate and the ministry underscores the lack of a unified plan at this time. The future legislative agenda concerning Cova da Moura remains uncertain and will likely be a central issue in the Amadora municipal election. The outcome of this political conflict will have long-term consequences for housing policy and urban development in one of the capital's largest suburbs. Understand policy impacts on your Portugal property plans at realestate-lisbon.com.
