A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe carried out a monitoring visit to Portugal, from 17 to 19 June 2019, to assess the implementation of the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government which was ratified by Portugal in 1990.
The co-rapporteurs on local and regional democracy in Portugal, Xavier CADORET, France (L, SOC), and David ERAY, Switzerland (R, ILDG), considered how local and regional self-government has evolved in Portugal since the adoption of the Congress’ last recommendation in 2012 and the signature of an approved post-monitoring roadmap in 2015.
Meetings took place in Lisbon, Sintra and Alcácer Do Sal, in particular with the Secretary of State for Local Government of the Ministry of the Interior, Carlos MIGUEL, and the Secretary of State for Regional Development of the Ministry of Planning, Maria DO CÉU ALBUQUERQUE. The delegation also met the Vice-President of the Constitutional court, M João CAUPERS, the President of the Court of Auditors, Vítor Manuel DA SILVA CALDEIRA, the Ombudsperson Maria Lúcia AMARAL, and Susana AMADOR, member of the Assembly of the Republic Standing Committee on the Environment, Territorial Planning, Decentralisation, Local Government and Housing.
The delegation also held exchanges with the Mayor of Alcácer do Sal, Vítor PROENÇA and with an elected representative of the city of Lisbon. Meetings also took place with representatives of the National association of Portuguese municipalities (ANMP) and of the National association of civil parishes (ANAFRE) and also with members of the Portuguese delegation to the Congress.
The draft report will be on the agenda for approval by the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by member States of the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Monitoring Committee) at one of its next meetings, before being presented for adoption during the Congress session in March 2020.
Portugal ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1990. Countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires compliance with a minimum number of rights, which form the European bedrock of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities makes sure that these principles are observed.
Contact:
Stéphanie POIREL, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Secretary of the Monitoring Committee
Telephone: +33 (0)3 90 21 51 84, Email : [email protected]
