PS MPs and former government officials outraged by “demolition of principles and shacks”

Former PS government officials and deputies, including João Costa and António Mendonça Mendes, today released an open letter expressing “deep indignation and concern” over “the demolition of the roofs of dozens of families”, authorized by socialist mayors.

Titled "on the demolition of principles and shacks," the open letter from "PS activists and supporters" was launched by a group of socialists and, according to the promoters, already has the signatures of a hundred people.

Among the names that were at the origin of this letter, is that of the former Minister of Education João Costa, the former executive governors of António Costa and current deputies António Mendonça Mendes and Frederico Francisco or deputy Isabel Moreira, among others.

"We watched with dismay as the roofs of dozens of families were demolished, authorized by Socialist Party mayors, without any prior protection for these families, forced into homelessness. We would like to express our profound indignation and concern. We are witnessing the end of the line—from the unsanitary and precarious conditions of a shack to the street," they condemn.

For these socialists, demolishing shacks “without guaranteeing alternative, adequate and immediate housing solutions” goes against “constitutional and statutory principles” and “tarnishes the credibility and ethical commitment that the Socialist Party must make to its citizens.”

"We call for coherence: socialist politics begins with the people, never against them. We call for the mobilization of the Socialist Party's structures to reflect on these practices and consistently defend the values that define us. We want a Socialist Party that is truly an instrument of social transformation, justice, and solidarity—not just in words, but above all in actions," they challenge.

The Loures municipality, headed by socialist Ricardo Leão, began on Monday an operation to demolish 64 precarious homes, where 161 people live, in Talude Militar.

The Lisbon District Administrative Court has provisionally accepted a precautionary measure filed by a lawyer representing 14 residents of the neighborhood.

The court considers that "the situation of special urgency has been verified", ordering notification of its decision "immediately and as expeditiously as possible", and also recalls that "the precautionary process is an urgent process", giving the municipality a period of 10 days to contest the decision, "without prejudice to the ruling".