Independent Movement “Montijo with Vision and Heart” Outlines Comprehensive Plan for Municipal Governance
The independent movement “Montijo com Visão e Coração,” led by mayoral candidate Fernando Caria, officially presented its electoral program on the evening of September 30th before a capacity crowd at the Cine-Teatro Joaquim d’Almeida. The event, attended by hundreds of local citizens and supporters, detailed a wide-ranging platform targeting key structural areas for the municipality of Montijo, including governance, housing, and mobility. The movement’s leadership, including campaign manager Luís Serra and head of the Municipal Assembly list Nuno Ferrão, joined Caria in outlining their strategic objectives should they be elected.
A central pillar of the program is a commitment to administrative modernization and increased transparency. Caria announced intentions to conduct external audits of municipal operations, pursue greater decentralization of responsibilities to the local parishes (freguesias), and invest significantly in digitalization to streamline public services. This policy aims to create a more efficient and responsive local government, breaking from what the movement implies are outdated administrative practices. The policy’s objective is to enhance public trust and improve the delivery of services to citizens and businesses alike.
The implementation strategy for this modernization involves a phased rollout of digital platforms and a comprehensive review of current administrative workflows. The movement plans to work closely with parish councils to identify specific powers that can be effectively transferred, ensuring that decisions are made closer to the communities they affect. The budget for these initiatives will be reallocated from existing administrative overheads, with an emphasis on achieving long-term cost savings through improved efficiency. Stakeholder consultation will be integral, with plans for regular public forums to gather feedback on the new systems.
In response to growing concerns over housing affordability, the candidacy has committed to an aggressive housing plan. The program includes the construction of 50 new homes per year at controlled prices, a direct measure to increase the supply of accessible housing for families and young residents. Furthermore, the movement plans to implement policies to recover and repurpose vacant properties within the municipality. A critical component of this strategy is the pledge to finalize the revision of the Municipal Master Plan (PDM), a foundational document that will guide all future urban development and land use in Montijo.
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The housing policy will be funded through a combination of municipal investment and applications for national and EU-level funding programs. The target demographic is primarily low-to-middle-income families and young professionals who are currently priced out of the local market. The social and economic impact is expected to be significant, not only by providing stable housing but also by stimulating the local construction sector. The evaluation framework will track the number of units built, the average rental or purchase price, and the impact on the overall housing market dynamics in the region.
Mobility and infrastructure also feature as a top priority. The movement proposes a new strategic plan that includes creating a new access point to the heavily trafficked Vasco da Gama Bridge, developing a comprehensive network of bicycle lanes to promote sustainable transport, and improving the efficiency and reach of the public transportation system. Security is addressed with proposals to establish a Municipal Police force, deploy video surveillance in areas identified as critical, and provide additional resources to the existing PSP and GNR police forces, as well as the Civil Protection agency.
The economic vision for Montijo focuses on fostering a vibrant local economy. Key initiatives include the revitalization of traditional local commerce, the creation of a business incubator to support startups, and the establishment of a dedicated entrepreneur’s help desk (balcão do empreendedor). Attracting new private investment and promoting sustainable tourism are also highlighted as essential for the municipality’s long-term prosperity. Fernando Caria emphasized the movement’s independent nature, stating, “We are an independent movement, without party ties. Our only party is Montijo and its people,” which was met with a standing ovation from the audience.
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