Candidate for Cacém e São Marcos Proposes Reform of Residency Document Rules
In the lead-up to the municipal elections on October 12th, Domingos Massena, the candidate for the presidency of the Union of Parishes of Cacém e São Marcos, has announced a policy proposal aimed at reforming local administrative procedures. Representing the “Sempre com os Sintrenses” coalition, which includes the PSD, IL, and PAN parties, the 56-year-old entrepreneur has identified the simplification of bureaucratic processes as a key priority for his potential administration.
The proposed policy specifically targets the rules governing the issuance of certificates of residence, documents for family reunification, and invitation letters, which are often required by foreign nationals. Massena’s objective, as stated in his announcement, is to “simplify administrative processes, eliminating the obrigatoriedade de duas testemunhas [the requirement for two witnesses].” This change is intended to reduce the complexity and time involved for citizens, including the significant expatriate community in the Sintra region, when dealing with the parish council for essential documentation.
This initiative is part of a broader campaign platform focused on what Massena describes as the “deplorable state” of the parish. His agenda also includes significant investment in urban cleaning, the repair and construction of sidewalks, and the enhancement of green spaces and leisure areas. “The parish is dirty, the trash is everywhere, the sidewalks are in disrepair, and in some places, they don’t even exist,” Massena commented, framing these issues as critical to the well-being of local residents and families. He has committed to a visible and accessible leadership style, stating his intention to maintain a “constant presence on the street” to address problems directly.
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The proposal to streamline residency-related paperwork has been noted by local community associations. A spokesperson for a residents' group in São Marcos, who wished to remain anonymous, commented that “any measure that reduces bureaucracy is welcome. For years, obtaining official documents has been a cumbersome process, particularly for our non-Portuguese neighbors. We will be watching to see how this proposal develops.” The policy aligns with a growing debate across the Lisbon Metropolitan Area on how municipalities can better support an increasing international population.
The candidate’s platform positions his coalition as being focused on administrative efficiency and improvements to public infrastructure. The election in Cacém e São Marcos is being closely watched as a test case for how these quality-of-life and administrative issues resonate with the electorate in a parish that has seen significant demographic change over the past decade. The outcome will determine the direction of local policy on matters that directly affect the daily lives of its nearly 90,000 residents.
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