CDS-PP Blames Lisbon Assembly President for Referendum Fallout on Local Housing

CDS-PP Criticizes Lisbon Assembly President

The CDS-PP party has accused the president of the Lisbon Municipal Assembly, Rosário Farmhouse (PS), and leftist parties, from PS to BE, of jeopardizing the credibility and good name of the assembly due to the controversial local referendum proposal on short-term rentals (AL).

Constitutional Court Ruling

Celebrating the Constitutional Court's decision to invalidate the referendum, CDS-PP holds Farmhouse responsible for proceeding with a process that had already received legal advice against it. The party claims that the credibility of the AML has suffered a political and institutional defeat at the hands of the radical left.

Reflection on Future Elections

With the municipal elections approaching in September and October, the centrist party urges Lisbon residents to reconsider whether it is worthwhile to place their trust and votes in these leftist parties.

Legal Issues with the Referendum

The court deemed the popular initiative for a referendum on AL illegal, citing insufficient signature verification, lack of the mayor's opinion, and the inappropriateness of the questions posed regarding the prohibition of AL in residential properties.

The initiative, promoted by the Referendum for Housing Movement, aimed to ask two questions about altering local regulations to cancel registered ALs in residential buildings. However, CDS-PP pointed out a significant discrepancy between the title of the initiative and its actual intent, stating that it was more about opposing AL rather than supporting housing.

Voting and Legislative Process

On December 3, the AML approved the conversion of the popular initiative into a local referendum, with support from PS, BE, PEV, PAN, and others, while CDS-PP and allied parties voted against it. Following this, the president submitted the decision to the Constitutional Court, despite warnings about legal inconsistencies and insufficient signatures.

The CDS-PP emphasizes that there were two critical opportunities to halt the process and prevent the Constitutional Court's dismissal of the Assembly's credibility.