CDU Candidate André Martins Pledges 1,000 New Affordable Housing Units for Setúbal
André Martins, the mayoral candidate for the CDU (Unitary Democratic Coalition) in Setúbal, has announced a major housing initiative as a cornerstone of his electoral platform. During a political rally on Sunday, Martins committed to the construction of 'one thousand new homes in supported and affordable rent' if elected. This policy is one of two primary objectives for the next municipal mandate, alongside the construction of a new primary and preschool facility.
The announcement was made at the Auditório Bocage in Setúbal, where Martins positioned the CDU as the only political force with a 'proven track record and a credible project' for the city's future. The pledge to build 1,000 affordable housing units directly addresses the growing concerns over housing affordability in the region, a key issue for both local residents and the real estate market. This specific, quantifiable goal sets a clear benchmark for his potential administration's performance on housing policy.
During his speech, Martins drew a sharp contrast between his coalition, which includes the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and the Ecologist Party 'The Greens' (PEV), and his main political rivals. He heavily criticized Maria das Dores Meira, an independent candidate supported by the center-right PSD and CDS parties, referring to her as a 'troca-tintas' (turncoat). Martins, who previously served as a councilor in Meira's administration, asserted that the CDU candidacy is defined by 'principles and values,' unlike the opposition.
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Paulo Raimundo, the Secretary-General of the PCP, reinforced this message with his own pointed critique of the opposition. Without mentioning her by name, he alluded to the previous administration under Meira, stating, 'In this term, we solved many problems that had been created previously.' He challenged voters to choose between a government of 'serious and honest people' and one that serves self-interest, warning against a 'Setúbal of shady deals, at the service of the interests of a few.'
Martins also differentiated his platform from that of the Socialist Party (PS), which he accused of focusing on tourism infrastructure projects like boardwalks in the protected Arrábida Natural Park. 'We do not have projects of this nature for Arrábida,' Martins stated. 'The projects we have for Arrábida are the projects and proposals that were approved yesterday by UNESCO.' This statement aligns his environmental policy with the new international guidelines for the recently designated Biosphere Reserve.
The CDU's focus on large-scale housing development and education infrastructure signals a clear political strategy aimed at addressing fundamental social needs in Setúbal. The promise of 1,000 new affordable homes, in particular, represents a significant potential intervention in the local housing market, which could have wide-ranging effects on property values, rental supply, and investment opportunities in the coming years. Understand policy impacts on your Portugal property plans at realestate-lisbon.com.