Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 13th March 2024
A very good day to you all. Well the results are in from the election and it seems that the country has decided a change of government is required to help move the country along to more prosperous times. Meanwhile, according to many commentators the Algarve voters decided in their droves to use the election as a protest about what they feel is forever being overlooked by the national government, and voted for the Right wing Chega party.
Whatever happens in the near future we cannot but feel there will be another election sooner rather than later as the parliament is in a “hung” situation and the likelihood of the government of the day passing any important legislature seems to be unlikely.
According to João Eduardo Martins, professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Economics at UAlg, Chega’s victory seems to show, in his opinion, that Chega ended up catapulting the voice of discontent that existed here in the region and that manifested itself in this way in this electoral act.” Here in the Algarve, the PS has dominated in recent years and there are a series of life expectations of the population that have not been met. Health has deteriorated to an almost unimaginable point, with the lack of doctors in hospitals, with the Pediatrics emergency department closing every other week, operating in Portimão one week, operating in Faro another week, and Obstetrics being the same thing”, he observed.
In addition to a “very degraded” health service, the people of the Algarve have been faced with “a lack of teachers, lack of answers in housing, the increase in the cost of living associated with the spike in inflation, low wages, precariousness and unemployment associated with the main sector of activity that is tourism and three brutal economic crises since the beginning of the 21st century”, the university professor further exemplified.
João Eduardo Martins highlighted that Chega, in addition to winning “the entire district”, also won in six cities – Olhão, Loulé, Albufeira, Lagoa, Silves and Portimão -, some of which are “from the biggest cities in the Algarve”.
It remains to be seen if the changes which will come about in the Algarve with new deputies will mean that the Algarve’s voice is heard again.
Now a look at what else has happened in the past week across the region.
24-year-old man arrested for the crime of domestic violence
The PSP arrested on Thursday, the 7th, in Portimão, a man accused of committing crimes of domestic violence and offences against qualified physical integrity, that security force reported today. According to the PSP, the suspect, aged 24, was previously indicted for crimes of this nature and was even subject to coercive measures.
However, “in view of the reiteration of criminal conduct and the gradual increase in the level of violence used in recent days, victimising several members of their closest family circle, as it proved to be essential for the protection of victims and considering the urgency of intervention, a a warrant for his arrest outside of flagrante delicto, to ensure his immediate appearance in court”, he details. In view of the evidence found, after a hearing in court, the coercion measure of preventive detention was ordered this Friday.
Man dies after being run over in Olhão
A man was fatally run over this Thursday, the 7th, by a light vehicle in Olhão, revealed a source from the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command.
The alert for the incident was received at 2:30 pm, with the emergency services not knowing the age and nationality of the man, who was run over on Avenida 5 de Outubro, said the Civil Protection source.
“It was a collision with a light vehicle, which resulted in a fatal victim,” he said, without providing further details about the circumstances of the accident.The driver of the vehicle involved in the collision “was also assisted by the Emergency Psychological Intervention Unit of INEM [National Institute of Medical Emergency]”, he added.
The source from the Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command also said that “the PSP Criminal Investigation Brigade was in charge of the incident” to determine the circumstances of the collision.
There were seven vehicles on site with 19 operational personnel, including members of the Olhão Fire Department, INEM and PSP.
Man arrested for pornography of minors in Portimão
The Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested, this Tuesday, in Portimão , a 25-year-old man in flagrante delicto, for the alleged authorship of several crimes of pornography of minors.
According to a statement from the PJ, the complaint originated from international judicial cooperation mechanisms, via the “ National Center for Missing & Exploited Children ”.
As part of the investigations carried out by the Portimão Criminal Investigation Department of the PJ, it was possible to verify that the man held and regularly accessed such content in computerised form. The detainee was presented, Wednesday, for the first judicial interrogation to apply coercive measures.
1.9 million euros donated to social solidarity institutions in the Algarve
In 2023, 73 social solidarity and animal support institutions in the Faro district received more than 1.9 million euros donated by Missão Continente and in food surplus this support totaled 1.8 million euros, the equivalent of more than 527 thousand meals saved.
In 2023, a total of 30.8 million euros in food and non-food products were donated by Missão Continente to 1,097 social solidarity institutions across the country. In relation to food surpluses, that is, all products that, despite no longer having commercial value, are still suitable for consumption, this support totaled 27.4 million euros, the equivalent of more than 7.8 million saved meals.
“There are hundreds of social solidarity institutions and animal welfare associations that are supported in these actions. These donations have been taking place for around 28 years and, year after year, we have been increasing the number of institutions benefiting. In this way, Missão Continente acts positively in two areas that are very relevant to its positioning: it supports those who need it most and creates one of the most efficient ways of combating food waste.” explains Nádia Reis, Director of Communication and Social Responsibility at Continente.
Algarve Wine Tourism Shines at Portuguese Wine Awards
The Grandes Escolhas Awards ceremony took place at the Estoril Congress Centre on March 1, where Algarve Wine Tourism was honoured with the prize for the best “2023 Wine Tourism”.
Algarve Wine Tourism, a new wine route of the region promoted by the Algarve Wine Commission, was awarded the prize for the best 2023 Wine Tourism at the Vinho Grande Escolhas Awards. The ceremony, organised by the publication of the same name, took place at the Estoril Congress Centre on March 1.
The Grandes Escolhas Awards are held every year to celebrate the top achievements in Portugal’s gastronomy and wine tourism industry. Some of the categories featured in this event are awards for top wines, experts, businesses, goods, dining establishments, wineries, and organisations involved in the production and sale of wine in Portugal.
Through Algarve Wine Tourism, you can explore a unique and vibrant wine route across the region. It is promoted by the Algarve’s Wine Commission, the organisation responsible for certifying wine products with a designation of origin in Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa, and Tavira, and geographical indication of the Algarve,” said Sara Silva, President of the Board of the Algarve Wine Commission.
Hence, the prestigious “Wine Tourism 2023” trophy validates and enhances the excellence of this route and its products, creating the ideal pairing for a trip to the Algarve that encompasses food, entertainment, history, and sampling the finest Algarve wines. The gala event saw a total of 20 trophies being awarded, with the backing and sponsorship of various official entities and organisations.
Faro imposes limits on opening hours and noise levels
Faro municipal council has approved new noise regulations and opening hours for commercial establishments.
According to the new rules which have been published in the state newspaper Diário da República and are expected to come into effect this month, restaurants, cafés and pastry shops will be able to operate daily until 2am; bars and concert halls until 3am (from Sunday to Wednesday) or 4am (from Thursday to Saturday and on the eve of public holidays); and discos can stay open until 3am (from Sunday to Wednesday) or 5am (from Thursday to Saturday and on the eve of public holidays).
These changes are being made due to the “need to adapt opening hours to the evolution of the municipality’s social reality” and to address cases of excessive noise, the local council says in a statement. “The municipality felt it was important to approve a revision to the regulations that would limit the opening hours of these spaces to avoid exacerbating a number of situations that had already been identified and to help make commercial use compatible with the other urban uses that exist in the Municipal Master Plan, namely residential use,” the council said.
In other words, the municipal authority wants to make sure that residents are not kept up all night by excessive noise from nearby establishments. The council added that the previous regulations had been in force since 2017, in the case of opening hours, and since 2012, in the case of noise levels.
Pharmacies, hospitals, medical centres and veterinary hospitals or clinics, tourist developments or local accommodation, residential facilities for the elderly or petrol stations will be able to operate “permanently” (meaning without any restrictions on opening hours) every day of the week, the local council clarified.
Meanwhile, businesses located in residential buildings will be limited to opening hours between 8am and midnight. However, they may “exceptionally adopt the opening hours set for other establishments if they obtain the prior consent of the building’s owner or a declaration of non-opposition from the condominium.
São Brás adds four new defibrillators to public access network
São Brás de Alportel has increased its number of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to 11, aiming for quick responses to potential cardiac emergencies.
Previously, two AEDs were installed at the municipal sports pavilion and the municipal swimming pools, along with four in the volunteer fire department’s vehicles.
The four new defibrillators are installed in public spaces: near the José Belchior Viegas secondary school; near the Poeta Bernardo de Passos school and the local sports and leisure; near the municipal market; and also in the historic centre, near town hall, the municipal library and other key buildings. Says the local council, these units are operational and await licensing by the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM). The municipality invested €7,500 (plus VAT) in the rental of these units from Blue Ocean Medical, Lda., and has also invested in the purchase of another defibrillator for the local scouts group, having trained some of its members to use it if necessary during their activities or at events held in the municipality.
This initiative addresses the high occurrence of sudden cardiac deaths nationally, aiming to significantly improve survival rates for cardiac arrests.
Finally a note for your diaries. Safe Communities will be present at the Civil Protection exhibition being held at the Multiusos de Albufeira from the 21 to the 23rd March. Please come along to the exhibition if you are interested in our work and say hello. We hope to see you there!