The World Youth Day mobility plan will be unveiled next week, the Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said on Tuesday, adding that there are plans to increase public transport by 11%.
The information was provided by Anna Catarina Mendez during an urgent debate in Parliament requested by the Liberal Initiative on World Youth Day (WYD) to be held from 1 to 6 August in Lisbon.
In response to concerns raised by opposition parliamentary groups, who criticized primarily the lack of mobility and security plans less than a month before the event, the minister assured that “they will be completed within the time frame proposed by the project team.” “.
Speaking specifically about the mobility plan, Ana Catarina Méndez said it would be unveiled next week and provided some details such as boosting the public transport offer by around 11% to ensure that “it will serve not only pilgrims, but all those who come, work and live” in the capital.
Without specifying the location, he also said that 6,200 parking spaces for buses have already been identified within walking distance from the places where the Journey events will take place.
As for possible traffic restrictions, the official assured that they do not apply to ongoing assistance networks, security services and home support.
The security plan has also been completed, according to the minister, and will be presented “in the coming days.”
The replacement of borders (land, air and sea) with documentary controls has already been announced and Ana Catarina Méndez highlighted the mobilization of more than 10,000 security personnel in close cooperation with the security forces of other countries.
Opening the debate, Liberal MP Patricia Gilvaz felt that there was “no lack of concern” regarding the preparation and organization of the event, and accused the government of being unprepared.
In addition to concerns raised about mobility, safety and health plans, the MP also asked the executive about the cost of the event, as did other groups such as Chega and PCP.
During the time allotted for her speech, the minister did not touch on the topic, but responded to the statements of Andre Ventura from Chega about the registration of pilgrims from the countries of the Middle East.
Defending “respect for all those who visit us,” Ana Catarina Mendez said she confirmed the registration of 1,547 pilgrims from the area, which corresponds to 0.47% of the total number of subscribers.
“It’s not worth the social anxiety it creates,” he stressed.
Lisbon has been chosen by Pope Francis to host the next WYD, which will take place from 1 to 6 August, with the main ceremonies taking place in the Parque Eduardo VII and Tagus Park, north of the Nasoins Park, on the banks of the river. Tagus, on the lands of the municipalities of Lisbon and Loures.
World Youth Days was initiated by Pope John Paul II after a successful meeting in 1985 in Rome as part of the International Year of Youth.
The first edition took place in 1986 in Rome, having already passed through Buenos Aires (1987), Santiago de Compostela (1989), Czestochowa (1991), Denver (1993), Manila (1995), Paris (1997), Rome ( 2000), Toronto (2002), Cologne (2005), Sydney (2008), Madrid (2011), Rio de Janeiro (2013), Krakow (2016) and Panama (2019).
This year’s release was originally scheduled for 2022, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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