Marcelo puts government into caretaker mode // Commission recommends new Lisbon airport in Alcochete
Portuguese news in English on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Marcelo puts government into caretaker mode
A month after Prime Minister António Costa announced his resignation, the government has officially been placed in caretaker mode, Público reports. From the Friday just passed until a new government is formed from the March 10 elections, the government can only take measures that are “strictly necessary” and unable to be delayed for the following administration. Speaking before President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa signed the decree, Costa said beyond the normal “day-to-day” running of the country, it was necessary to ensure “continuity” in the administration of programs such as the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and Portugal 2030. Costa highlighted the end of public discussion over the location of Lisbon’s new airport and preparatory measures for the high-speed rail network as key priorities for the incoming government. Marcelo said he would be open to approving anything related to the PRR but would analyse any other diplomas case by case.
Commission recommends new Lisbon airport in Alcochete
Lisbon’s new airport solution will cost at least €8 billion and won’t be ready until 2031, according to an independent commission set up to analyse the options, Público reports. From the nine options on the table, it declared the most advantageous would be to build a new one in Alcochete, on the south side of the Tejo River, which would eventually completely replace the existing Humberto Delgado Airport in Portela. But there are other viable options, including the second choice of a similar approach at Vendas Novas. Montijo, for expandability and environmental reasons; and Santarém, for being too far from Lisbon and too close to military flights, were both discarded as good choices.
The decision will be in the hands of the next government and requires agreement with the operators of the current airport, which will be subject to “immediate” construction work. The commission said all of the options would be financially viable, with airport taxes covering the costs and the project making a positive financial return.
The closure of Portela, a long and costly exercise, would free up 700,000 square metres of land, Público reports. The commission suggested a new development with green space, more than 2000 apartments, twice the existing number of offices, a hotel and a shopping centre. If current airport operators ANA don’t agree with the choice of new location, the state would be free to tender for a new operator but the approach would require compensation.
Multiple tourism associations criticised the choice of Alcochete, Diário de Notícias reports. They said Alcochete couldn’t be ready in fewer than 10 years, called for more urgent capacity improvements in Portela and for the new airport to instead be built in Montijo, which they said could be built more quickly.
Food waste disposal program coming to all of Lisbon
Within months, a food waste disposal system should be up and running in Lisbon, in a program predicted to reduce general rubbish by 40%, Público reports. The program is already starting in Benfica and São Domingos de Benfica but the council promises it will eventually be rolled out to all 24 freguesias. The plan is to begin with door-to-door collection, and a small bucket per household to separate the waste at home, before eventually rolling out large containers on the street for people to access. That waste will then be turned into compost for agriculture and gardening, as well as energy production.
In brief
New immigration agency to take a year to get through pending applications left by SEF. At the end of October, 347,000 pending immigration requests moved from SEF to AIMA, which says getting through them is a priority to address “during the next year and a half”. (CNN Portugal)
EU and Portugal in fall "without precedent" on major international education test. Portugal’s PISA results dropped in all three indicators: maths, science and particularly reading, which children are doing less and less of. (Público)
Homelessness up 25% in Lisbon, according to support organisation. One organisation is now helping 510 people on the streets, many of whom have jobs but still can’t afford the rent. (Diário de Notícias)
More than 800 health professionals sign open letter to associations over Gaza crisis. There’s been indignation at the lack of an official position from national professional associations to call for a ceasefire and highlight the conditions medical professionals are working in during the war. (Diário de Notícias)
Housing is the biggest problem for foreigners who do 'what the Portuguese don't want to'. Immigrants in Mouraria are struggling to find affordable places to live amid complaints about “mafias” said to easily and corruptly obtain the right papers for those who can pay. (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
It’s that time of year again when many of the summer festivals start teasing us with early artist announcements, right as we start suffering through winter. At this stage, Portugal can already count big names such as Pearl Jam, Lana Del Rey, Ed Sheeran, SZA, Dua Lipa, Justice, The National, LCD Soundsystem, Massive Attack, Sam Smith and The Smashing Pumpkins. If you’re looking for a wrap of summer festivals, my lovely partner and editor Daniela Sunde-Brown has written up a Portuguese music festivals guide for 2024 on her blog. You’ll find everything from mega events such as NOS Alive, Rock in Rio and Primavera Sound Porto through to smaller events in Marvão.