“Sintra chose the future”
OPINION: Francisco Duarte, elected councilor of the Sintra Municipal Council for the coalition Sempre com os Sintrenses. On May 24, I wrote in this very newspaper that Sintra needed a future and that Marco Almeida was that future. Today, with the victory achieved in the 2025 municipal elections, we have confirmed that conviction. Sintra has made its choice and decided to move forward. Sintra is today one of the most populous municipalities in the country and one of the largest territories in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, where almost four hundred thousand people live. This dimension gives even more meaning to the change that the people of Sintra chose and to the responsibility of building, here, a modern, sustainable, and quality-of-life urban area at the gates of the capital.
After twelve years of stagnation, the people of Sintra chose to change. The victory of Marco Almeida marks the beginning of a new era. A time when Sintra looks forward again, with ambition, hope, and confidence. This is a victory of courage and perseverance. Of those who believed that Sintra could be better, more just, and more balanced. It is, above all, the victory of the people who wanted to recover the pride of living in this unique territory. The path that now begins is demanding, but also exciting. We have a unique opportunity to return Sintra to the place it deserves. Marco Almeida has a clear and realistic vision for the municipality. A vision that joins development and identity, growth and sustainability, tradition and innovation. A leadership that values work, merit, and proximity to the people.
The future we want begins with the simple and essential things. Sintra needs to be clean, well-cared-for, and safe. The public space should be a source of pride, not frustration. We will invest in urban requalification, in the maintenance of streets and gardens, in lighting, and in the small works that make a big difference in each person's life. In urbanism and land use planning, we want to give the people of Sintra back the right to live where they were born. Reviewing the PDM will be a priority. We need to plan growth with balance, especially in rural areas, so that children can continue to live near their parents and grandparents. Sintra must grow with criteria, respecting its history and preparing for the future. These are key considerations for anyone looking at location issues when buying property.
In housing, the key word will be dignity. We will create affordable rental solutions, support those who need it most, and invest seriously in housing planning. There is no development without stable families, because it is in them that the strength of a community and the future of a municipality is born. In the economy and tourism, we want a municipality that generates opportunities and creates wealth without losing its authenticity. Sintra is much more than a tourist postcard. It is a living territory, with entrepreneurs, workers, and associations that deserve support and trust. We will boost local commerce, attract innovative companies, support those who invest, and value sustainable tourism that respects those who live here.
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In innovation and administrative modernization, we want a City Council that is ever closer, more efficient, and more humane. The true engine of the municipality is its workers, people who every day ensure that services function and that responses reach those who need them. I want them to find in this executive an attentive and available ally. We will create better conditions, invest in training, and value the merit and commitment of those who serve Sintra with dedication. Together, we will build a modern local government, proud of its work and respected by the people of Sintra. In the area of security, our commitment is to guarantee tranquility and confidence throughout the municipality. We will reinforce the presence of municipal teams, namely the Municipal Police, working in close coordination with the PSP and GNR. We want safer streets, quieter neighborhoods, and a modern and efficient surveillance network. Sintra will be an attentive, prepared, and protected municipality, where every person feels safe in their daily life. A Sintra where living is synonymous with confidence and quality of life.
The Sintra we aspire to is a Sintra that believes in itself. That protects its heritage but is not afraid to innovate. That values those who work, who teach, who create, and who care. That gives young people reasons to stay and the elderly reasons to trust. With Marco Almeida, Sintra once again has leadership, vision, and direction. It has someone who knows the municipality, who listens to the people, and who decides with courage. At his side, a young and motivated team, which brings energy, new ideas, and the will to do things differently. The future began on the day the people of Sintra said yes to change. Now it is time to deliver, to show that it was worth believing, and to build, step by step, the modern, just, and humane Sintra that we all aspire to. That is Marco Almeida's commitment. That is the path we will follow, together, always with the people of Sintra. For more on how local politics can affect real estate, see our Regulatory and Legal Frameworks blog.
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