Government approves decentralization of powers in municipalities – Journal SUN

The Council of Ministers approved this morning the delegation of responsibilities regime in the municipalities in the field of Education, Health, Welfare and Culture. At the end of the briefing of Government meeting, the Deputy Minister and Regional Development said that this process will follow the basic principles such as equality between all municipalities, the requirement for improving the quality of service as well as the transfer of financial resources and guarantee equity required. Poiares Maduro also ensured that this process will advance gradually and through pilot projects that will test this transition and will go to the land soon in the education sector.

It is precisely the issue of financing that has raised more questions to local authorities that are involved in negotiations with the Executive for decentralization on Education. The municipalities received this week a new version of the proposal of the Government of interadministrativo draft contract and consider the associated financial package is not included with the responsibilities that go on the local government. Even consider that without changes in this respect, the pilot projects will not start.

Also the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) ruled this week against this decree of the Government. The negative opinion was issued to the four areas and taking into account “the terms proposed by the Government.” The president of ANMP, Manuel Machado, acknowledged that the education has been “significant progress” but considered the health sector situation “extremely serious”.

In an overall assessment for the role of government in this process, the mayors involved in the negotiations also give negative note to the Executive. The main criticisms have come so far Own vice president of PSD, Carlos Careers. The Mayor of Cascais confessed to SOL feel so “uncomfortable” with the “lack of coordination and political leadership” of Poiares Maduro, who accuses him of having launched the process and then “disappeared”.

Rita. carvalho@sol.pt