Lisbon Mayor Admits Education Decentralization Was a Mistake Due to Lack of Funding

Lisbon's Mayor, Carlos Moedas (PSD), has openly criticized the decentralization of education to municipalities, labeling it as a significant error. During a recent Assembly of Lisbon meeting, Moedas highlighted the financial strain this has placed on the city, emphasizing that the central government has failed to provide adequate funds for these transferred responsibilities.

Key Points from the Meeting:

• Moedas described the decentralization as a way for the central government to offload costs onto municipalities without proper financial support.
• The mayor stressed that despite the lack of funding, Lisbon continues to invest in education to ensure the well-being of its children and youth.
• The issue was raised by PEV deputy Cláudia Madeira, who also criticized the transfer of competences, particularly concerning planned works at Vasco da Gama Basic School.
• Moedas reiterated his refusal to accept similar decentralization in healthcare without guaranteed financial transfers from the government.

Broader Implications: The decentralization process, initiated in 2019, has faced numerous challenges, with municipalities across Portugal deeming the transferred funds insufficient. An agreement was reached in July 2022 between the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities and the government to update the funds and terms for education and health decentralization.

Controversy Over Political Propaganda: The meeting also saw accusations against Moedas for removing political propaganda posters, deemed an "attack on democracy" by some deputies. Moedas defended the action, citing public support for reducing visual pollution in the city.

Tributes Paid: The assembly unanimously approved votes of condolence for the late photographer Eduardo Gageiro, writer Armindo Reis, and researcher Teresa Rita Lopes.