This Monday, the executive director of the Porto City Council rejected a BE proposal aimed at creating a municipal plan for the integration of migrants, with the majority arguing that the municipality cannot replace the government in its powers.
The proposal presented by the Left Bloc at a public meeting of the executive was voted against by councilors from the independent movement, with the SDP abstaining and councilors from the PS, BE and CDU voting in favour.
Defending the fact that local authorities play a “fundamental role” in developing policies that promote the integration of migrants, BE councilor Sergio Aires said that despite the “growing problems” of immigration, there is “still no apartment” in Porto.
Along with developing the plan, BE proposed the reactivation of the Municipal Advisory Council for Migrants, similar to the CDU about two weeks ago, as well as the preparation of a qualitative study to characterize migrant communities in Porto.
In response to BE, the councilor in charge of social cohesion, Fernando Paulo, said that the municipality has a social development plan that supports the integration strategy, but the chamber “cannot replace the government in its powers.”
Fernando Paulo also blamed the “government’s inability” for the situation with the legalization of migrants arriving in the country, and then showed a video with testimonies of three migrants who live in the city and feel welcome.
Porto Mayor Rui Moreira also criticized the way the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) was abolished and the Integration, Migration and Asylum Agency (AIMA) was created “at the distance of a horse.”
Rui Moreira, however, said he was looking forward to the measures to be announced by the government this afternoon regarding immigration.
Regarding the PSD, Councilor Mariana Macedo considered the topic “important and a priority” and said that, like Rui Moreira, she was looking forward to the government’s measures.
“This proposal is untimely as some measures may even be implemented,” he said, declaring that the SDP is not ignoring reality and that “the municipality can play a cooperative role without neglecting the government’s investments and responsibilities.”
The government is presenting its migration plan this Monday afternoon, with stricter rules, following ministerial advice on the matter.
Over the past five years, Porto City Council has served 695 migrants and ethnic minorities through a municipal and intercultural mediation project.
According to the census, in 2021 the city of Porto had a population of 231,800, of whom 11,327 were foreigners.
Since April 2019, 695 people have been served, an average of just over 100 per year, with the councilor responsible for education and social cohesion not knowing the percentage of immigrant or minority communities.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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