Artur Torres Pereira to lead Portugal's local election 50th anniversary commission

Artur Torres Pereira has been appointed to lead the commission celebrating the 50th anniversary of Portugal's local elections. Pereira, the former president of the Sousel Municipality and the first president of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP), will head a six-member body tasked with organizing the official program.

The commission includes Pedro Pimpão dos Santos (ANMP), Francisco Branco de Brito (ANAFRE), Fernando Santos Pereira (ANAM), Luísa Salgueiro, and Isabel Damasceno. The celebrations are scheduled to begin on December 12, 2026, marking five decades since the first local electoral acts took place in 1976.

The commemorative activities are expected to span an entire year. According to the Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, the commission will collaborate with various public and private entities to promote initiatives aligned with the anniversary's objectives. The budget for the celebrations is estimated at a maximum of one million euros for the current year and 2027.