The socialist mayor of Loures, Ricardo Leão, has broken his silence on social media, defending his decision to demolish illegal precarious housing in the Bairro do Talude. Despite refusing multiple interview requests, Leão released a video stating, "In Loures, we don't promote shacks, we promote dignity. We don't accept anyone living without water, electricity, or security."
Leão, who is running for re-election this year, assures that the demolitions will continue and that the municipality has offered social support to affected families seeking help due to homelessness.
160 residents have been displaced, with some sleeping in tents and makeshift shelters after the demolition of dozens of illegal homes. The Child Support Institute has demanded a swift solution to provide roofs for these families. Meanwhile, the Fair Life Movement reports that only three out of the 50 families from Bairro do Talude have found a solution so far.
The Public Ministry has opened an investigation into the demolitions. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has weighed in, urging an evaluation of the residents' situations but refrained from commenting on the municipality's decision. He emphasized the need to understand the severity of the situations in Bairro do Talude and to find a comprehensive solution, questioning, "Who are they? Do they work? Do they contribute to Social Security? How long have they been there?"
Marcelo highlighted the importance of addressing these questions to avoid merely patching up the problem without a global solution.
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