Liberal Initiative Party Criticizes Loures Metro and Housing Policies
The Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) party in Loures has publicly stated its opposition to the current government's plans for extending the metro line to the municipality, describing the project as a “monument to waste.” In an opinion piece, the party clarified its position on key local issues, including transportation and housing, which are central to the development of the Lisbon-adjacent municipality.
The party argues that the proposed metro project is financially irresponsible, with its budget having escalated from €250 million to an estimated €700 million. They also contend that the planned route is inefficient and fails to adequately serve the needs of the local population, forcing commuters to travel through the neighboring municipality of Odivelas. As an alternative, the Liberal Initiative proposes a “real, structural metro” that would provide comprehensive service across Loures and integrate with the National Railway Plan to connect with Lisbon and the Oeste region.
Regarding housing, the party expressed strong opposition to the proliferation of illegal construction, stating that it fails to solve the housing crisis and instead fuels human exploitation. The party identifies a lack of new construction as the root cause of the housing shortage. Citing a report from the Instituto +Liberdade, which notes an 88% decline in housing construction in Portugal over the past decade compared to other developed economies, the Liberal Initiative calls for a new strategy.
The proposed solution is to mobilize all sectors, including public, private, and cooperative entities, to rapidly increase the supply of available housing in the municipality. The party's statement emphasizes a need for “serious politics” and criticizes what it calls “empty promises” and a lack of engagement from other political figures in the Municipal Assembly. The Liberal Initiative positions itself as a party focused on rigor and transparency to address the challenges facing Loures. Understand policy impacts on your Portugal property plans at realestate-lisbon.com.
