Lisbon Local Leader Demands Resignation of Municipal Heritage Director Amid Controversy

Tensions Rise in Lisbon's Municipal Politics

The president of the Santa Maria Maior Parish in Lisbon has called for the resignation of the municipal director of Heritage, emphasizing that the country is no longer under authoritarian rule. This demand arose during a session of the Lisbon Municipal Assembly, where Miguel Coelho (PS) expressed his frustration over the termination of a comodato agreement concerning a municipal building on Rua Vítor Cordon intended for the Academy of Amateurs of Music.

Coelho stated, "There are no more relations with this municipal director of Heritage, and I demand his resignation from this position." His remarks were made clear that they represent his personal stance and not that of the PS municipal group.

Crisis Over the Academy of Amateurs of Music

The controversy escalated following a statement from Carlos Moedas, the Mayor of Lisbon, who announced a solution for the Academy, indicating that the municipal building in Chiado would be made available. Coelho reported receiving an email from Bernardo Alabaça, the municipal director of Heritage, rescinding the contract for one of the facilities granted to the parish during the 2012 administrative reform.

Surprised by the mayor's public claims of resolving the issue without prior communication with the parish, Coelho described the situation as disrespectful towards another elected local body.

Legal and Historical Significance

The termination notice from the municipal director included a three-month eviction period, which Coelho criticized as disrespectful of the legal autonomy of the parishes. He asserted that the director failed to recognize that both the parish and the municipality share the same democratic legitimacy.

Coelho defended the parish's legal rights over the building, which houses a historical archive containing invaluable documents from the former parishes of Lisbon and records related to the Estado Novo regime. He highlighted that the parish has preserved important historical documents and has complied with legal obligations regarding record-keeping.

Despite the tensions, Coelho expressed his willingness to engage in a serious conversation with the mayor about how the parish can contribute to resolving the Academy's needs, reiterating that the core issue is the disrespect shown towards the elected local authority. "We are not in the Estado Novo anymore, nor in times of totalitarian political tutelage, so I cannot accept this," he concluded.