There are 308 municipalities ("conselhos, câmaras") and 4359 local administrative units ("freguesias"). The latter are a form of an administrative parish.
In the old days (20 years ago) a trip to the North from Lisbon could easily take a day. A trip of 40 km into the countryside could sometimes take two hours because of heavy traffic and miserable roads.
However the roads and public transports are very good now and the country seems much smaller. Considering the Internet there is in fact no longer a reason for so many entities in Portugal.
Thus the only real structural measure implemented by the current government to diminish the size of the public sector: The civil governments ("governos civis") have practically been closed down. They were a kind of representative of the central government locally.
The government has talked about shutting down "freguesias". First there was talk about 1000 now the number is much lower as the "freguesias" are protesting.
In 20 years in Portugal we have visited our "freguesia" once or twice. They do however have a number of local activities, which we have attended. They have a building, employees and thus spend money.
We have visited our "câmara" a few times. First to get married and the afterwards to get a building license. But otherwise never. They have lots of buildings and employees, and spend a lot of money. They also have created an enormous wasteful structure of companies owned by the municipalities. Lots of "jobs for the boys".
I would suggest a more radical change than the government proposes:
40 municipalities and 0 "freguesias". The "freguesias" could continue, but then only with voluntary workers and a building for meetings. There are lots and lots of countries without" freguesias".
There are cities in the world with "câmaras" the size of Portugal. With modern technology and other modern infrastructures it makes no sense with so many local authorities as we have today.
I would furthermore suggest that the "câmaras" no longer would receive income from constructions. That is no fees for building licences and no income from property tax. This should all go to the state. The state could then redistribute to all municipalities.
Additionally, the "câmaras" should no longer be allowed to decide on what land is for construction or the degree of permitted construction density without getting the direct approval of the population and one or more state agencies.
Considering all the bureaucracy, waste and corruption associated to local authorities this is the only sensible plan of action to take.
The other day on TV a sad truth was revealed. There are only two kinds of business in Portugal that has more than a 1000% profit. Drugs and the manipulation of land value. The latter must be stopped as it is easy to do and it is more harmful than the former.
In the old days (20 years ago) a trip to the North from Lisbon could easily take a day. A trip of 40 km into the countryside could sometimes take two hours because of heavy traffic and miserable roads.
However the roads and public transports are very good now and the country seems much smaller. Considering the Internet there is in fact no longer a reason for so many entities in Portugal.
Thus the only real structural measure implemented by the current government to diminish the size of the public sector: The civil governments ("governos civis") have practically been closed down. They were a kind of representative of the central government locally.
The government has talked about shutting down "freguesias". First there was talk about 1000 now the number is much lower as the "freguesias" are protesting.
In 20 years in Portugal we have visited our "freguesia" once or twice. They do however have a number of local activities, which we have attended. They have a building, employees and thus spend money.
We have visited our "câmara" a few times. First to get married and the afterwards to get a building license. But otherwise never. They have lots of buildings and employees, and spend a lot of money. They also have created an enormous wasteful structure of companies owned by the municipalities. Lots of "jobs for the boys".
I would suggest a more radical change than the government proposes:
40 municipalities and 0 "freguesias". The "freguesias" could continue, but then only with voluntary workers and a building for meetings. There are lots and lots of countries without" freguesias".
There are cities in the world with "câmaras" the size of Portugal. With modern technology and other modern infrastructures it makes no sense with so many local authorities as we have today.
I would furthermore suggest that the "câmaras" no longer would receive income from constructions. That is no fees for building licences and no income from property tax. This should all go to the state. The state could then redistribute to all municipalities.
Additionally, the "câmaras" should no longer be allowed to decide on what land is for construction or the degree of permitted construction density without getting the direct approval of the population and one or more state agencies.
Considering all the bureaucracy, waste and corruption associated to local authorities this is the only sensible plan of action to take.
The other day on TV a sad truth was revealed. There are only two kinds of business in Portugal that has more than a 1000% profit. Drugs and the manipulation of land value. The latter must be stopped as it is easy to do and it is more harmful than the former.
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