Portalegre faces socioeconomic isolation, PCP warns

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) has issued an alert regarding the ongoing social and economic isolation in the Portalegre district. Through its Regional Organization of Portalegre (DORPOR), the party accused various political groups—including PS, PSD/CDS-PP, Chega, and IL—of exacerbating regional asymmetries through centralist policies.

The PCP highlighted that public disinvestment is leading to accelerated impoverishment and a loss of purchasing power among the population in the Alto Alentejo region. Key areas of concern include healthcare, education, communication infrastructure, mobility, and access to essential services such as postal and banking networks.

To address these issues, the party proposed several infrastructure improvements, including the full electrification of the Linha do Leste railway and the creation of a railway variant to bring the station closer to the urban center of Portalegre, which is currently located 12 kilometers from the city center. They also called for expanded and improved road networks.