The President of the Republic says he has received alerts from mayors because of the amendment to the Soil Law, a few days from the municipal elections. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa refuses to comment on the alleged incompatibilities of the government regarding participation in real estate companies.
The President of the Republic questioned the effectiveness of the so-called soil law in the year of local elections, noting that “the diploma leaves the decision in the hands of the municipalities” and that “the occasion is not easy” for the mayors to apply.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa raised this issue in statements to journalists at the Belém Palace in Lisbon, stating that he has reflected “A factor that no one has spoken lately” Regarding the decree-law that altered the legal regime of the territorial management instruments, the so-called Soil Law, which promulgated at the end of last year.
According to the head of state, in relation to this law “It has not yet been thought of a small question that is as follows: the diploma leaves the decision in the hands of the municipalities, it is not the government that has the fundamental decision, it is the municipalities, specifically the municipal assemblies.”
“And what I have thought is as follows, and I have thought because several mayors have told me about it: What is the position of the mayors in an election year of being called upon to decide on this matter?”
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa questioned “Who is the mayor who feels very comfortable making decisions about the use of soils, in his municipality, in the municipality, in the Municipal Assembly, to months of conducting local elections.”
“The occasion is not easy”
The President of the Republic repeated that several mayors have spoken to him in this matter, noting that “The occasion is not easy” to make decisions, “In this context, at this distance of the municipalities.”
“It has to do, in the background, with the effectiveness or not of the legislative amendment, as the theme that will be on the table will be the municipal elections,” he said.
The head of state argued that “In the municipal elections there will be, of course, a scrutiny, that is, a very tight control of all decisions, namely those that concern urban matter and which have a very large economic and social effect.”
Interrogated if this advises to revoke the law, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa replied: “No. I am saying what a difficulty that is placed at this time, in this period, even the municipal elections.”
