The Prime Minister, António Costa, said the government will consider all contributions from the public debate on the announced housing measures, including those of the President of the Republic, and admit to withdrawing or adding material.
António Costa spoke at a joint press conference with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, during the 28th Ibero-American Summit, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, who was almost done with his work at the time.
When asked whether the government will take into account the views of the head of state on the housing package, in particular the mandatory rental of vacant properties, the prime minister replied that the measures were put to public debate “to listen to suggestions, to listen to criticism” before “taking a final decision” at the Council of Ministers, which will take place on March 30.
“So obviously when we put it in public debate, we assume that the debate can suggest changes, in the sense of removing things that are there, in the sense of adding things, explaining things better, regulating things better.”
The Prime Minister pointed out that “in this case there are hundreds of contributions, namely from the President of the Republic – but also from other, different institutional, written opinions, from the National Association of Municipalities, the Association of Owners of Lisbon, the Association of Tenants from Lisbon, from different municipalities”.
“That’s why there are multiple contributions. We will of course consider everything to ensure that what is fundamental, which is to have the strongest support for families,” he said.
António Costa stated as objectives of this government package to help pay “rent and housing benefits”, with measures already taken by the President of the Republic, and to ensure “more housing accessible to Portuguese families”.
“There are several ways to do this,” he noted.
The Prime Minister pointed out that “the public debate will not end until early next week” and that “the Council of Ministers will again discuss the set of positions that have been expressed, the contributions that have come in, the proposals for additions that have appeared over the next 30” .
“Only then will we submit a draft law which will go to the Assembly of the Republic and a matter to be dealt with by a decree law, which in this case will be sent to the President of the Republic.”, he added please.
Source: DN
