The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, announced this Thursday (5 February) the extension of the state of calamity in Portugal until 15 February. After the meeting of the Council of Ministers, the head of the Government justified the decision with the forecast of continued bad weather: “We know that we will still have a difficult situation that will prolong the conditions that justified this calamity”.
To face the consequences of the floods and destruction, the Government approved an unprecedented package of measures. Among them is an exceptional regime that dispenses with prior State inspection in urgent recovery works. “For exceptional times, the Government is betting on exceptional measures”, stated the PM, guaranteeing: “We will not rest until we overcome all these adversities”.
On the ground, said Montenegro, ASAE will monitor possible crimes of “price speculation or hoarding” of construction materials. At the same time, the IEFP will work to recruit workers, including using the “regulated labor immigration” channel to make up for the lack of labor in the affected areas.
The head of Government stated that direct support of up to 10 thousand euros is now accessible through the official portal and assured that the funds will reach families “on Monday at the latest”. According to the PM, this “support is advancing with unprecedented speed”.
Elections on Sunday
Despite the catastrophe scenario and several municipalities having done so, Luís Montenegro ruled out the general postponement of the presidential elections. Although the law provides for specific exceptions for parishes or municipalities, the PM argued that, “in the overwhelming majority of the country, there will be conditions” for voting.
In an appeal for participation, Montenegro asked the Portuguese for a “spirit of availability and sacrifice”, stressing that choosing the President of the Republic is “a task, an honor, a duty and a right” that should not be delegated to third parties.
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