Latest news and stories about government policy in Leiria, Leiria, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Minister of Economy, Castro Almeida, announced that the deadline for reviewing applications for housing reconstruction support following winter storms in Leiria and Marinha Grande will be extended. Local authorities were unable to process the 14,000 applications by the original June 30th target, prompting the government to adjust the timeline.
The government has submitted a request to the European Union Solidarity Fund for over 5.3 billion euros to cover damages caused by seven consecutive storms between January and February. The funds are intended for the reconstruction of public infrastructure and emergency interventions, particularly in the Central region.
The European Union Solidarity Fund (Fundo de Solidariedade da União Europeia) is a financial mechanism designed to help member states respond to major natural disasters. It provides emergency aid to cover costs for essential public infrastructure, emergency operations, and the cleanup of disaster-stricken areas.
The Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP) is urging the government to move beyond promises and implement the announced support measures for the hospitality sector.
Gonçalo Lopes, the mayor of Leiria, discussed the extensive damage caused by Storm Kristin in a recent interview with CNN Portugal, highlighting the municipality's emergency response and recovery efforts over the past ten days.
During a visit to a parish in Leiria, the PCP secretary-general reiterates criticisms that the Government “promises a lot, announces a lot” but when it finds itself “in a tight spot, it pushes the responsibility onto the local authorities”.
The PCP leader argued that, given the scale of the damage, the country needs a “robust intervention”, investment, and a different attitude from the Executive.
MP Paula Santos argues that “means and resources should have been mobilised to effectively reach these areas to try and remove as much biomass as possible”.
A modern state needs a clear boundary between politics and Public Administration. As long as we confuse political trust with technical competence, we will remain trapped in a game of musical chairs.
The Minister of Economy, Castro Almeida, admitted today that the deadline for reviewing applications for the reconstruction of homes damaged by storms in Leiria and Marinha Grande, which was set to end on June 30, will be extended.
The goal of reviewing over 14,000 applications for bad weather support by June 30th, as set by local authorities, the CCDR-Centro, and the Government, is unlikely to be met. The most affected municipality, Leiria, with nearly 11,000 applications, still has more than half of the planned support pending.
The municipalities of Marinha Grande and Leiria will not be able to complete the analysis of over 14,000 applications for support of up to ten thousand euros for the reconstruction of homes damaged by storms earlier this year by June 30, reports Jornal de Notícias. At stake are 3,365 cases in Marinha...
Público reports this Monday, June 8, that the IHRU is not monitoring tax exemptions for affordable housing. The Affordable Housing Support Programme, in effect since 2019, has only about 1,000 active contracts, and the IHRU is failing to audit them, meaning it is unknown if benefits are being improperly granted. Público also highlights that a consultancy firm linked to Eurico Castro Alves, former head of Infarmed and former Secretary of State for Health, introduced a drug trafficker with alleged ties to the PCC for a cannabis business deal. Jornal de Notícias states that thousands of victims of severe weather will not receive aid by the end of the month, as the municipalities of Marinha Grande and Leiria cannot process over 14,000 applications for reconstruction grants by June 30. Correio da Manhã reports that the tax authority is tracking football payments across various countries to investigate potential tax fraud. Diário de Notícias notes that six crimes against police officers (PSP and GNR) were recorded daily last year. Negócios reports that over 200 companies were fined for failing to conduct mandatory audits on salary inequality. Eco summarizes the new Single Social Benefit, noting that the government has left key details, such as the reference value for the support, to be defined in a future ordinance.
The elections will take place on June 19th at the municipal headquarters from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, except in Leiria, where they will be held from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Luis Montenegro joins the President of the Republic late this afternoon for the official visit to Luxembourg. Additionally, the Leiria municipality is urging the population to avoid risky behaviour.
The PSD wants to strengthen public safety, reduce fire risk, and improve forest accessibility in Leiria. The PS accused the party of failing to include Government measures in the proposals.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro called on Thursday, May 28, for the cooperation of all of society in preventing rural fires, advocating for a joint effort between the State, local authorities, landowners, and citizens to reduce risks during the upcoming critical period. Montenegro visited the Integrated Prevention and Operations Command (CIPO) in Leiria to discuss the government's strategy, which includes a 40-million-euro investment from the Environmental Fund for prevention. He emphasized that while the government is deploying its largest-ever firefighting force—with the 'Charlie' phase beginning next Monday involving over 13,000 personnel—public collaboration remains essential to mitigate risks.
Montenegro reinforces the idea he had already conveyed in the afternoon: that the “institutions are functioning”. Also, the President of the Republic leaves a list of requirements for the Government so that Leiria can recover from the storms.
The Prime Minister and the President of the Republic crossed paths in Leiria. Montenegro defended what the Government has already achieved, while Seguro took on the role of overseer and presented a list of demands for the future.
The President of the Republic says that what went wrong during the storms shows harshly that it is essential to prevent and learn lessons.
Luís Montenegro visited the Integrated Command for Prevention and Operations (CIPO), based in Leiria, this afternoon.
Four months after storm 'Kristin', the Prime Minister states that support for companies has been 'almost fully' executed. Meanwhile, the President of the Republic advocated for a focus on prevention, so as not to start 'from scratch' in the next crisis.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro acknowledged today that the progress of reconstructing homes damaged by bad weather has not been as desired, justifying this with the need for oversight of the support provided.
The Prime Minister argued this Thursday that Portugal needs less rigidity in labour relations to ensure greater economic growth.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro acknowledged that the reconstruction of homes damaged by bad weather has been slower than desired, citing the need to monitor financial support. Speaking in Leiria, he noted that while business support measures have reached over 90% implementation, housing aid has faced delays. He highlighted the impact of the storm Kristin, which struck in late January, and emphasized the role of the Portugal Recovery and Resilience Plan (PTRR) in not only restoring damaged areas but also transforming the economy and public services to be more resilient against future climate events.
Luís Montenegro is in Leiria, where he provided an update on the support for the reconstruction of the central region. Furthermore, José Luís Carneiro stresses that the PS is not a target of the searches and dismisses political interpretations.
The Municipality of Leiria has received 17.5 million euros from insurance companies and the Government, but repair costs following the severe weather have already reached 30 million euros, according to Mayor Gonçalo Lopes. The funds, which include an 11 million euro emergency grant from the state and 6.5 million from insurers, cover less than 60% of the total expenditure incurred since the Kristin storm hit the region in January. The mayor noted that the municipality is still negotiating final settlements for the 193 million euros in estimated damages, while continuing cleanup and reconstruction efforts across the district.
Gonçalo Lopes considered that creating an environment of division “is not the best way to accelerate the process” of rebuilding the territory affected by the bad weather.
The President of the Republic wants concrete answers and demands that support for the population most affected by the storms at the beginning of the year be accelerated.
Various reactions have emerged regarding the Open Presidency report on the Central Region, conducted by António José Seguro between April 6 and 10 in areas affected by storms. Local mayors, the Leiria Region, and the head of the Mission Structure view the series of storms and the subsequent response as a learning experience. Leiria mayor Gonçalo Lopes stated that the country continues to face a structural deficit in preparation and resilience against extreme phenomena, calling for serious reflection and action from the State. The report also highlights the impact of storm Kristin. Jorge Vala, president of the Leiria Intermunicipal Community, noted that the report should serve as a basis for learning, recalling the loss of communications and power during the events, while also questioning the utility of certain entities like AGIF. Paulo Fernandes, coordinator of the Mission Structure for the Reconstruction of the Central Region, noted an alignment between the report's suggestions and the Portugal Transformation, Recovery and Resilience (PTRR) programme.
The Socialist Party secretary-general says that the report from the Presidency of the Republic published today proves exactly that. Also, Trump states that the US is “getting closer” to an agreement with Iran.
Gonçalo Lopes notes that the report confirms that storm Kristin “was not just an extreme phenomenon limited to the days of the emergency”.
