Political Clash Over Lisbon's Housing Policy
The PS (Socialist Party) in Lisbon's City Council has strongly criticized Mayor Carlos Moedas (PSD) for issuing a dispatch they claim is of "doubtful legality" regarding the suspension of new local accommodation registrations in the city.
Background of the Suspension
The controversy centers around the suspension of new local accommodation licenses approved on May 6, intended to last for six months. This measure applies while the municipality maintains a ratio between permanent housing and local accommodation establishments "equal to or greater than 5%". Currently, Lisbon records a ratio of 7.2%, well above this threshold.
The Extension Controversy
The original suspension period was set to expire on Friday, November 7, but Mayor Moedas issued a dispatch extending the suspension. According to the document, the deadline is "suspended" due to the limited management regime of local authority bodies following the "vicissitudes" of the local election process.
Alexandra Leitão, the newly elected PS councilor, expressed strong opposition: "This should have been resolved in September when PS councilors presented a project to that effect, whose discussion was not even allowed, let alone voted on by the mayor."
Legal and Political Implications
Leitão emphasized that September, one month before the elections, was the "appropriate time" to approve changes to the Municipal Local Accommodation Regulation (RMAL) "without any doubt of legality." She accused Moedas of avoiding the issue for "electoral reasons," noting his coalition with IL (Liberal Initiative), which voted against suspending new registrations.
"He now issues a dispatch of doubtful legality that certainly puts the City Council at risk of litigation," Leitão warned, suggesting that potential legal challenges could lead to compensation claims against the municipality.
Regulatory Update Status
Regarding the RMAL amendment, Moedas' dispatch states that the proposal is in the "final approval phase" after public consultation and is ready to be presented to the City Council and then submitted to the Municipal Assembly.
However, Leitão lamented the delay, pointing out that the public consultation ended in April, meaning there was "more than enough time" for approval by September.
Other Political Reactions
- Rodrigo Mello Gonçalves (IL): Understood the dispatch due to election result verification issues but declined to comment on the new AL regulation.
- PCP (Portuguese Communist Party): Acknowledged that the interruption of the suspension countdown resolves an immediate problem but stressed it doesn't address the need for a new RMAL with better control mechanisms to defend the right to housing.
- BE (Left Bloc): Accused Moedas of refusing to approve the new regulation in April and now being forced into a last-minute solution that increases litigation risks against the City Council.
Upcoming Developments
Sources from Lisbon City Hall indicate that the inauguration of the newly elected bodies is expected on Tuesday, November 11, though official confirmation is still pending. After the inauguration, the countdown for the suspension period will resume.
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