Impacts recognised as “very significant for public health, environment and residents’ quality of life”
Lisbon city council “vehemently repudiates” the government’s intention to increase capacity of the city’s overloaded Humberto Delgado Airport and – with votes against from the PSD/CDS-PP – laments the “inertia” of mayor Carlos Moedas (PSD).
Moedas rejects the inertia slur, saying “I cannot force the Government. I can influence, I can be present, I can say no, and I have done so every time I am with a member of the Government, in particular with the Prime Minister . I raise this issue and the concern for the people of Lisbon.”
Thus, the council’s repudiation will be noted, but it clearly stands for very little.
At a public council meeting yesterday evening, PCP communists presented a motion “against the works”, which was signed by all members of the executive, including the PSD/CDS-PP leadership (which governs without an absolute majority).
The PS also proposed a vote of condemnation – passed, with PSD/CDS-PP votes against.
In presenting the vote, PS councillor Pedro Anastácio recalled the “very significant” impacts on public health that the airport already causes. A study some years ago pointed to truly terrifying consequences on people’s health, including the cognitive development of unborn children.
At issue is the decision by the current government to go ahead with works to expand capacity of the airport, increasing the number of flights per hour from 38 to 45.
In addition to repudiating Carlos Moedas’ “inertia and lack of public intervention”, the PS has condemned the mayor’s “political inability” to influence the government, demanding that the city council urgently take all legal and institutional measures at its disposal, including opposing the issuance of an Environmental Impact Statement by the APA – Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (Portuguese Environment Agency), “to protect the interests of the city and the people of Lisbon”.
No assurance along these lines emerged from the meeting.
Lisbon city council is composed of 17 members, including seven elected members from the ‘Novos Tempos’ coalition – PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança, three from the PS, three from Cidadãos Por Lisboa, two from the PCP, one from Livre and one from Bloco de Esquerda.
Source material: LUSA
