This Italian region now has Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge
It’s not for the faint-hearted
This happened after the archipelago received less from the national budget
At the start of this week, the Portuguese Government delivered its draft State Budget for 2022 to the national parliament for approval. The draft proposal is ambitious and optimistic-sounding in its aim to restore the country’s economy to pre-pandemic levels, well in line for a recovery boost.
However, the Government of Madeira (an autonomous island region) was reportedly not too impressed with the budget proposal. In fact, so much so, that the President of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, raised the possibility of instigating a revision of the Constitution in order to seek further autonomy from Lisbon.
Miguel Albuquerque represents the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), which is the main opposition to the Socialists currently heading the national government. That might partially explain the division and gap in rhetoric and policies between the Atlantic archipelago and the mainland.
In 2022, Madeira is set to receive 217,210,880 million euros, 15 million less than this year. Although Lisbon previews that the Portuguese economy will grow by 5.5% in 2022, it nevertheless has set aside less money for the islands.
In response, Mr Albuquerque, who was attending the inauguration ceremony of the new municipal administration of Porto Santo (a smaller island of the archipelago), said that his government will present a constitutional revision project in order to ensure that the development instruments are available to his region.
The Madeiran President recalled that year after year transfers from the State to the autonomous regions have been decreasing, the health subsystems of the Armed Forces, the GNR and the PSP police forces, which should be the responsibility of the State, have been ensured by the Regional Budget and that the State does not guarantee the extra costs with Education and Health.
“We are going to present, regardless of whether they want it or not, whether it is the moment or not, a project for a constitutional review, where the fundamental principles of Political Autonomy and the development of Madeira are guaranteed”, indicated Miguel Albuquerque, as quoted on the regional government’s website.
What are the reasons for that and are there any possible solutions for that problem?
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Presenting the next chapter in the Dutch capital’s ‘Stay Away’ campaign aimed at rowdy tourists
The City says this has become a necessity due to the increasing number of incidents involving these vehicles
That way you can notify a canal lock keeper to open the gates so the animals can swim through
The organizers had been considering different Parisian spots, but always with the idea of the flame being visible to the people
Electricity production in that Eastern European country will not release direct CO2 emissions anymore
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
A smoke-free environment has been guaranteed for years, but now the local administration is looking into further improving public health habits
This initiative is not just about making books more accessible – it has larger ambitions in its sights
We owe the unusual cultural icon to this country in Europe
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team