Inês de Medeiros Formalizes Re-election Bid in Almada, Pledging Housing as Top Priority
Inês de Medeiros, the incumbent president of the Almada Municipal Council, officially announced her candidacy for a third term on September 9th, in a public presentation held before the Paços do Concelho. The event, attended by Socialist Party (PS) Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro, established housing as the central pillar of her campaign, signaling a continued focus on one of the municipality's most critical challenges. The campaign will proceed under the slogan “Plano A: Almada,” emphasizing a clear and prioritized agenda for the city's future.
The policy objectives outlined by Medeiros include a significant expansion of the public housing supply. She committed to a specific target, promising to “ultrapassar os 6% de habitação pública no concelho até ao final do mandato” (exceed 6% of public housing in the municipality by the end of the term). This initiative is framed as a direct response to the housing crisis affecting the broader Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Medeiros highlighted progress already achieved during her tenure and pointed to projects currently in development as evidence of her administration's commitment. This focus on housing supply is a key factor for those monitoring the local property market, and further analysis can often be found in discussions on regulatory and legal frameworks.
A significant portion of her address was dedicated to the issue of unregulated housing developments. The candidate strongly criticized what she termed the “total e escandalosa inoperância” (total and scandalous inaction) of the state-run Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU) concerning the growth of informal settlements in the Penajóia and Raposo neighborhoods. She assured residents that the municipal government would remain “intransigent” in pressuring the IHRU to act, aligning her administration with the established communities affected by this issue. “We will do everything in our power so that the Government, once and for all, fulfills its obligation and mission, which is to guarantee the constitutional right to decent housing for all,” Medeiros stated, underscoring a potential point of friction between municipal and national authorities.
The candidate also addressed municipal services, specifically urban hygiene, expressing concern over the high costs associated with waste management contracts. She noted that a substantial portion of the hygiene budget is directed to a private contractor, Amarsul, which she claims limits the funds available for other public investments. “This is not sustainable for any municipality,” she argued, linking the issue to broader national policies and European targets. This focus on fiscal management and service delivery is a core part of her platform for a new term.
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José Luís Carneiro, in his speech, reinforced the party's national commitment to housing, mentioning a proposed new law on local finances as a mechanism to empower municipalities. He also emphasized the strategic importance of the Trafaria tunnel, a major infrastructure project he described as “decisive for improving local mobility and unlocking the connection between Almada, Lisbon, and the entire Metropolitan Area.” Such infrastructure projects are critical for the region's development and are a frequent topic in our neighborhood news reports. Carneiro framed the Almada election as a key battleground for strengthening the Socialist Party's influence in local governance across the Setúbal district.
The municipal elections, scheduled for October 12th, will feature a competitive field. In addition to Inês de Medeiros for the PS, the announced candidates include Luís Palma (CDU), Hélder Sousa Silva (PSD), Sérgio Alves (Livre/BE), Carlos Magno (Chega), Carlos Alves (IL), Marina Marques (PAN), and Ana Clara Birrento (CDS-PP). The outcome of this election will have significant implications for the direction of housing and urban development policy in Almada for the coming years. For international buyers, having access to local expertise is invaluable. Our network of English-speaking real estate agents can provide the necessary guidance.
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