Nine proposed for elevation to town status in Portugal

Sofia Machado Fernandes, a PSD deputy for the Braga electoral circle, has submitted a bill to the Assembleia da República proposing that the parish of Nine, located in Vila Nova de Famalicão, be elevated to the status of a town (vila).

The proposal follows unanimous approval by the local Nine Parish Council and Parish Assembly. The bill will now undergo review by the Commission for State Reform and Local Power before being submitted for a final plenary vote on a date yet to be determined.

Supporters argue that Nine meets all legal requirements under Law No. 24/2024, including having more than 3,000 voters, being part of a continuous population cluster, having significant local economic activity, and possessing at least two-thirds of the required public institutions. The PSD emphasizes Nine’s strategic importance as a key railway hub and suggests the elevation would promote a more balanced urban distribution within the municipality. If approved, Nine would become the fourth town in the Vila Nova de Famalicão municipality, joining Ribeirão, Joane, and Riba D’Ave.