Marco Almeida Pledges Housing and Transport Overhaul in Sintra Mayoral Bid
Marco Almeida, the mayoral candidate for the 'Sintra a Mudar' coalition (PSD/IL/PAN), officially launched his campaign with a series of ambitious proposals aimed at tackling the municipality's most pressing issues: housing, mobility, and health. Speaking at the Olga Cadaval Cultural Center, Almeida declared, "In less than a month, Sintra will change!" and outlined a vision to revitalize the council, with a central promise to "return housing to the people of Sintra and rehabilitate vacant properties." This policy initiative directly targets the housing affordability and availability crisis, which recent polls have identified as the number one concern for the local electorate.
Almeida, a former vice-president of the council, criticized the current administration, stating that residents have been "abandoned to their fate for the last 12 years," leading to an exodus of young people who can no longer afford to live in the municipality. His plan to bring vacant buildings back into the housing market is positioned as a key strategy to increase supply and create a "dignified municipality that attracts employment and productivity." This focus on urban regeneration over new construction could signal a significant policy shift for developers and property investors in the region.
The candidate's platform also includes a robust plan to improve mobility. Almeida promised to construct ten multi-story car parks in key areas such as Casal do Cotão, São Marcos, and Algueirão to alleviate parking shortages. He also committed to increasing investment in the Carris Metropolitana bus network. In a more forward-looking move, Almeida announced his intention to evaluate a municipal partnership in the operation of the Sintra railway line, a vital commuter artery. This follows the precedent set by other Lisbon metropolitan area municipalities like Cascais and Oeiras, which are exploring greater control over their local rail services. However, he dismissed the idea of making the A16 motorway toll-free, arguing the €25 million in annual revenue is better allocated to other transport investments.
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In the health sector, Almeida addressed the critical shortage of primary care physicians, noting that "150,000 people are without a family doctor." He proposed the creation of a Municipal Health Plan to guarantee medical care for all residents currently without a designated doctor in the National Health Service (SNS). "No one will be left without family medical care," he assured the audience.
The campaign launch was attended by prominent political figures who endorsed Almeida's candidacy. Hugo Soares, Secretary-General of the PSD, stated that the party was united behind a candidate誰 combines "determination, technical competence, seriousness, and integrity." Fernando Seara, a former mayor of Sintra, praised Almeida's track record and ability to "transform problems into solutions." Isaltino Morais, the influential mayor of neighboring Oeiras, also lent his support, stating, "He knows how to make things happen, and that is what Sintra has needed for years. With him, the concelho can recover lost time."
The comprehensive proposals, particularly on housing and transport, position Marco Almeida as a candidate advocating for significant structural changes in the municipality. As the October 12th election nears, his platform sets a clear agenda that directly confronts the primary concerns of Sintra's voters, promising a notable departure from the policies of the past decade. Understand policy impacts on your Portugal property plans at realestate-lisbon.com.