Claims refused? Freguesias can close doors on 4 November

“Iwe proceed with a summons to all parishes of the country for the closure of all services of the parishes on 4 November. All services. Therefore, not only visits, but all services associated with the parishes of the country,” said Francisco Branco de Brito, after an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Freguesias (Anafre), held today in Pombal, in the district of Coimbra, to analyze the government's proposal.

According to the mayor, the protest serves to demonstrate “discontent” of the parishes “and also to demonstrate what is the real impact of the parishes”.

“ Because, looking at this proposal from the State Budget and not having met our demands here, what we feel is that parishes are not important to the Ministry of Finance. And then we will effectively demonstrate what is our impact on society if we do not have the guarantee of the political parties that in the specialty include our demands,” he said.

The mayor recalled that on 22 July it was sent to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Economic Affairs and Territorial Cohesion a letter with “four requests”, one of which recalled the 1% increase in the basis of calculation of state revenue, to the parishes, based on the tripartisan political agreement during negotiations for Anafre’s social organs, signed by PSD, PS and CD.

“ At the moment, the Local Finance Act foresees 2.5% and an increase was foreseen to 3.5% in this State Budget ", explained.

The parishes also intend the passage of mayors in half-time in full-time parishes, to ensure the availability of mayors to “increasing demands”, the updating of the values transferred to the parishes of the municipality of Lisbon, “who have been under pressure from constant wage increases without due updates”, and the right of preference in the acquisition of real estate, as already happens with the municipalities.

“ None of these requests have been answered. The administrative reform of Lisbon has an increase, but it is not enough for those who have been the increases. Therefore, in summary, they were not met”, he added.

The Law Council also decided to proceed with requests for urgent meetings of parliamentary parties so that amendments could be included in the discussion of the proposal for a State Budget in the specialty, in addition to an emergency meeting with the Prime Minister, with the presence of the Minister of Finance.

“ Of course we are available to negotiate with everyone”, he said.

If the demands of the parishes are not met, after the total closure of the services on November 4, Anafre is considering “other forms of struggle”.

“ We also aim to permanently close all services associated with the Central State, namely Citizen Spaces, SNS24 counters, pension services at the time they are associated with Social Security”, he concluded.

According to the proposal of the State Budget for 2027, delivered to parliament, the parishes will receive a general grant of €440.1 million (ME) next year.

The proposal will be discussed and voted on in general between 27 and 28 October. The overall final vote is scheduled for November 24, after the discussion process in the specialty.