Decentralising is not ordering execution
In 2013, Lisbon made a bold choice by transferring powers from the central municipal structure to local parishes. This was not merely an administrative shift, but a recognition that local issues are best resolved by those closest to the community. However, decentralisation faces the inertia of established municipal cultures that struggle to relinquish central control. The author argues that the second generation of decentralisation in Lisbon must move beyond simply delegating execution while keeping decision-making centralised. True decentralisation requires transferring trust and accepting that local entities may choose different, and potentially better, ways to manage their responsibilities, while maintaining accountability and transparency.
