Portugal Local Govt Reform: Call to Raise Official Salaries
The head of the National Association of Municipal Assemblies (ANAM) is calling for a major overhaul of local governance in Portugal, urging the government to grant supervisory bodies greater independence and the “courage” to raise salaries for local elected officials.
A Push for Independence and Professionalism
In an interview with Lusa, ANAM President Fernando Santos Pereira argued that Municipal Assemblies (AM) currently operate too closely under the shadow of city council executives. To ensure effective oversight, Pereira insists these deliberative bodies must have their own autonomous offices and dedicated technical staff to analyze complex structural issues with professional competence.
“It is necessary to have courage here and decide whether to put it on the table or not: we must review the salary scale of local elected officials,” Pereira said. He stressed that the goal is not to secure “astonishing” pay hikes, but to establish a fair balance that reflects the increasing time and responsibility required of assembly members.
The Cape Verde Model
Pereira pointed to Cape Verde as a successful example of how to structure local democracy. Despite basing its system on the Portuguese model, Cape Verde has already established a clear separation between deliberative and executive powers. In Cape Verde, the two branches operate in different buildings, and assembly presidents receive compensation tied directly to a percentage of the President of the Republic’s salary.
“The Cape Verdean assemblies have their own offices—which is one of ANAM’s core demands here,” Pereira noted.
Increasing Liability, Declining Time
A major point of contention for ANAM is the current “insufficient” timeframe for reviewing critical city documents. Currently, assembly members often receive structural documents—such as municipal budgets or investment plans—just 48 hours before they must vote on them.
“Two business days to study an activity plan, a budget, or a regulation is not possible,” Pereira argued, calling for a minimum of eight to 10 days for document distribution. He emphasized that the pressure is heightened by the fact that assembly members now face civil liability for the decisions they make.
A Turning Point for Local Governance
The call for reform comes at a time of significant transition. Following local elections in October, approximately 190 of the country’s 308 Municipal Assemblies have seen a change in leadership. As these new officials take office, the pressure to modernize the deliberative process and provide adequate technical support is reaching a boiling point.
Municipal Assemblies serve as the primary supervisory bodies for city councils, responsible for approving budgets, strategic plans, and local regulations. Without reform, Pereira warns, these vital democratic pillars will lack the tools necessary to fulfill their mandates effectively.
Image: Pexels – Guohua Song
