“It wasn’t the first and it won’t be the last”: Ricardo Leão promises more demolitions in Loures

Loures City Council President Ricardo Leão said he will not back down on demolitions and will continue to support those affected, accusing public figures and political movements of exploiting poverty and vulnerability.

The mayor's statements were made in a video published on social media on Wednesday about the demolitions in the Talude Militar neighborhood, in Loures, which have since been suspended after a ruling from the Lisbon District Administrative Court was made public, which decreed the provisional suspension of the demolitions, following a precautionary measure filed by residents.

In the video posted on social media, Ricardo Leão (PS) said he did not want to fuel political discourse, stressing that illegal constructions are unacceptable and jeopardize people's safety, health and dignity.

"The news of the last few days demands clarification from me about a complex problem we face. I cannot accept that political movements or public figures take advantage of the poverty and vulnerability of some people just to gain prominence," he explained.

Ricardo Leão added that “this was not the first intervention [demolition of illegal buildings], nor will it be the last”.

"We do not allow people to live in inhumane, illegal, and dangerous conditions. We do not allow the construction of shacks in the municipality of Loures, not out of a lack of empathy, but because it is the only way to guarantee safety and justice for all," he said.

The mayor stressed that the council cannot accept that indignity is promoted.

"There are movements, associations, and public figures who, in the name of supposed solidarity, end up promoting indignity. The idea that all you need to do is build a shack, illegally occupy land, or install without regulations to immediately have a home is deeply dishonest to the more than a thousand families waiting for municipal housing, but also to those who comply, who wait with dignity and trust the rules and institutions," he said.

In Ricardo Leão's view, "promoting disorder is not showing solidarity, it is being complicit in a cycle of exclusion and injustice."

"We talk about rights and duties, but also about dignity and social justice. It's not about giving to whoever shouts loudest. It's about ensuring that all of my rights, duties, and opportunities are equal," he said.

Ricardo Leão also said that this is a complex issue and cannot be addressed by Loures City Council alone.

"This isn't a local issue; it's a reality that recurs in many municipalities in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. It requires shared responsibility with the government itself, cooperation with municipalities, and plans with clear criteria of justice," he emphasized, adding that the municipality doesn't shirk its responsibility, but it can't continue to act alone.

The mayor also clarified that before the intervention in the Talude area on Monday, “all people were informed and personally approached by the council services, before the operation, during the operation and after the operation”.

"The support continued and remains available, even though none of the people involved had previously requested help, without being enrolled in any program, the city council was always there with truth, resources, and solutions. Of the 65 demolition notices, we demolished 55 illegal buildings. 43% had official addresses outside the municipality. I regret that only 29 families received social services, not all," he said.

The mayor of Loures also indicated that of these 29 families, 11 received offers of shelter and the majority refused.

"Three families accepted, staying in a hotel, and three others received permanent housing. We're also evaluating three or four other situations for the private rental market. Of the families who contacted us, no one was left without a social response," he said.

Loures City Council began on Monday an operation to demolish 64 precarious homes on Talude Militar, where 161 people live, including children and the elderly.

On that day, 51 substandard homes were demolished, with four more added on Tuesday. The operation was suspended after the Lisbon Administrative Court granted a precautionary measure.

The Attorney General's Office (PGR) is investigating this case.