Chega requested a hearing in parliament with the Minister of Defense, mayors and other officials regarding the transfer of the Air Force Shooting Range from Alcochete to Alter do Chão.
By means of a request addressed to the president of the National Defense Commission, the Chega deputies Pedro Pinto, Nuno Simões de Melo, Bernardo Pessanha, Sandra Ribeiro and Raul Melo request that these hearings be held during the month of June.
In the document, consulted by the Lusa agency on the website of the Assembly of the Republic, the Parliamentarians emphasize that the transfer “constitutes a decision of undeniable strategic relevance”linked to the construction of the new Lisbon Airport.
“Despite the recognition of the importance of this operation for National Defense and the development of the country’s airport system, the new location raises a set of territorial, environmental, agricultural and socioeconomic implications whose dimension requires careful and plural parliamentary scrutiny”, they emphasize.
Recalling that studies related to the transfer “should be completed in the first half of 2026”, the Chega considers that June “constitutes the appropriate time to hold the required hearingsallowing for an informed and technically sustained parliamentary debate”.
According to Chega deputies, the future infrastructure will occupy an area of approximately 7,500 hectareswhich corresponds to “about a fifth of the territory of the municipality of Alter do Chãowith effects that extend to neighboring municipalities”.
“In addition, there are legitimate concerns expressed by local populations, mayors, organizations representing the agricultural sector and civic movements”, stressed the parliamentarians.
The concerns, they add, are related to the environmental impact, compatibility with the Pisão Dam, protection of species covered by the Birds Directive and the Natura 2000 Network and coexistence with equestrian and agricultural activities in the region.
Chega wants hearings with the Minister of National Defense, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the mayors of Alter do Chão, Fronteira, Monforte, Portalegre, Ponte de Sor and Crato.
Among those responsible for Chega’s request for hearing are also the president of the Association of Farmers of the District of Portalegre and Joana Vasconcelos, the first signatory of the petition “Alter do Chão, Não ao Campo de Tiro”.
The PS has also presented a request for an urgent hearing in parliament of several government and local entities about the change, alleging the “lack of responses” from the Government.
And a group of farmers launched a public petition against the transfer, warning of the possible environmental and economic damage from the infrastructure.
