Loures urban planning protocol faces MP investigation over €1.1 million land swap

The left‑wing CDU party in Loures filed a complaint with Portugal's Public Prosecutor alleging illegalities in a municipal urban‑planning protocol approved on 23 April. The protocol replaced a €1.1 million cash payment owed by a developer for work in Santo António dos Cavaleiros with the transfer of two unevaluated parcels in Santa Iria de Azóia, which the party says could have deprived the municipality of more than a million euros. The council vote was supported by the governing PS and PSD, with Chega abstaining and CDU voting against. CDU councillor Gonçalo Caroço cited legislation requiring cash compensation when land values cannot be assessed. This is the second complaint the party has lodged in a year, the first in September 2025 concerning a separate operation that allegedly cost the municipality about €5 million. The Loures city hall has not yet responded.