José Luís Carneiro joins Álvaro Araújo in the presentation of the municipal program in VRSA

The current mayor of Vila Real de Santo António ( VRSA ), Álvaro Araújo, presented the Socialist Party's ( PS ) 2025-2029 municipal program last Saturday. The event was attended by the secretary-general.

José Luís Carneiro began by greeting several socialist figures present.

He then praised Álvaro Araújo and his career of "demand and hard work," built with "honesty" and a sense of "public service." The secretary-general believes that the VRSA mayor's calling is to "be happy when he sees the happiness of others."

Luís Carneiro praised the improvement in the average payment time for services rendered to the City Council from 500 to 40 days, the provision of family doctors to “practically all citizens” and the investment and qualification of people as a factor of “equality of opportunities, progress and social development”, for the formation of citizens “committed to the values of democracy”.

"Investing in housing is essential, not only for economically and socially disadvantaged families, but also for the middle class and young people who want to become independent," he stressed, as one of the Socialist Party's priorities.

Álvaro Araújo mentioned that four years ago he inherited a “bankrupt municipality, with an astronomical debt, without projects and without hope.”

Looking back, he also highlighted some achievements of his term, such as his commitment to housing, free school meals, and the fight against debt, adding that his candidacy is one of "those who take action, don't give up, and don't settle." "The best election campaign is the reality we've built together over the past four years," he declared.

President Manuel Manero stated that for almost 50 years, he never got involved in political causes, not for lack of invitations, but due to the "absence of vision, mission, and values," elements he sees in Álvaro Araújo, whom he praises for the "integrity, closeness, and genuineness" with which he treats people. "This candidacy is, for me, more than a political act. It is a symbolic act of trust in the creative capacity of human beings. In the passion that moves, the knowledge that guides, and the freedom that allows us to dream with our feet on the ground," he emphasized.

Municipal Program

Álvaro Araújo's PS intends, over the next four years, to reduce municipal debt and progressively lower the IMI rate.

In terms of housing, 400 homes in the municipal housing stock will be refurbished, 114 homes will be allocated at controlled costs, support for young people's rentals will be strengthened and the construction of housing at controlled costs will also be promoted.

In healthcare, the objectives are to strengthen and ensure the management of health centers, promote decentralized consultations, vaccination and mental health programs, and care for the elderly with the "Caring for Those Who Cared" program.

The plans for Education include strengthening scholarships for higher education, supporting school libraries, and creating spaces for innovation and technical training for young people and adults.

Regarding the "environment, public space and mobility," the current president intends to maintain the Pavimenta VRSA Program and rehabilitate cycle paths and access to beaches, rehabilitate playgrounds, completely eliminate architectural barriers to accessibility, implement the measures of the Municipal Climate Action Plan, promote participatory and urban culture, create a digital channel for reporting problems in the city, and implement a program to inspect and monitor garbage collection.

In Tourism, itineraries and incentives for professional retraining in the sector will be created, the activity of Local Accommodation will be monitored and the municipality's presence at national and international events will be maintained, as well as the criteria for noise licenses will be reviewed.

In the "culture, sports and youth" area, the mayor intends to create a network of cultural facilities with centers in Monte Gordo and Cacela, promote a plan to promote physical activity, create local heritage itineraries, inaugurate the Youth House, implement an annual Sports Gala and launch artistic residencies and urban art activities.

Informal caregivers will have reception and support points; victims of domestic violence will have reinforced support; social isolation will be combated; and universal accessibility to buildings will be guaranteed. Furthermore, a local fund for inclusion projects, a Children's Equipment Bank, and animal adoption programs will be created, and beaches will have their-friendly zones. All of this under the umbrella of "equality, inclusion, and citizenship."