Beja Justice Palace inauguration sparks political dispute

Gonçalo Valente, a PSD deputy for the Beja district, has responded to criticisms from the PS Baixo Alentejo Federation regarding the inauguration of the Beja Justice Palace. The Socialist Party (PS) had accused the current government of attempting to “rewrite history” by claiming credit for a project initiated under previous socialist administrations and criticized the perceived politicization of the ceremony.

Valente dismissed these claims, stating that the PS Federation is in “complete disarray.” He noted that former Justice Ministers from socialist governments, Catarina Sarmento e Castro and Francisca Van Dunem, were invited to the event, with Van Dunem in attendance.

Addressing the presence of political figures, Valente clarified that he received no formal invitation but noted that all deputies have access to the public national agenda regarding government travel. He also defended the presence of PSD mayors, stating their participation was a matter of courtesy and natural hospitality for the host region.