Rubina Leal calls for reinforced local power in Madeira

Rubina Leal, President of the Madeira Legislative Assembly, has called for a meaningful reinforcement of local government power during a ceremony marking the 191st anniversary of the municipality of Câmara de Lobos. Leal argued that decentralization must involve the transfer of necessary resources alongside the transfer of responsibilities, stating, “We cannot decentralize responsibilities and centralize means.”

Leal emphasized that local authorities and parishes are essential for providing effective responses to community issues due to their proximity to the population. She specifically noted that the unique challenges of insularity must be considered in the relationship between the State and local powers, asserting that being a parish on an island differs from being one on the mainland.

While acknowledging the significant socio-economic transformations in Madeira over the last five decades, Leal identified several upcoming challenges for the region, including demographic shifts, housing, middle-class income, mobility, sustainability, and creating opportunities for youth.