Miguel Matias wants to promote initiative in Albufeira

With a degree in Sports Management, Miguel Matias developed “skill in areas such as financial and analytical accounting, statistics, project management, investment analysis, marketing, leadership, entrepreneurship, and others.”

The candidate has expertise when it comes to organising sports events, and currently manages a commercial establishment in Albufeira, at the same time that he is vice president of Associação Desportiva e Cultural de Tunes. According to him, all these experience helps him to undertake the candidacy with responsibility, engagement and management skills.

The Portugal News (TPN): Why did you decide to run for mayor of Albufeira?

Miguel Matias (MM): I decided to run because Albufeira needs new energy and a different vision. I grew up here, I know the difficulties families and workers face every day, and I know we can have much more than what we are used to. I will not accept that Albufeira continues to live on repetitive policies that fail to address housing, seasonality, or mobility. I am not here out of ambition, but out of restlessness. The restlessness of seeing my city stagnate when I know it has the potential to be so much more. I want to serve the community where I grew up and work every day, with liberal, modern, and realistic solutions that put residents first.

TPN: Unlike other municipalities, IL decided to run alone for mayor of Albufeira. Why did the party make this decision in Albufeira?

MM: Iniciativa Liberal is running alone in Albufeira because we have our own clear and coherent project. We are not here to align ourselves with opportunistic alliances or to extend the same power plays that have characterized local politics for decades. What sets us apart is that we have a united core, where we work as a team, get along well, and share the same spirit of mission. This unity translates into our organizational capacity and the preparedness of our team. We were the first to submit our lists, which shows that we are truly ready for this challenge. Running alone is also a sign of confidence in our team, our ideas, and in the future, we want to build for Albufeira.

TPN: What are the priorities of your candidacy for mayor of Albufeira?

MM: Our priorities are clear and meet the real needs of the people. First, housing, because young people and workers cannot live in the municipality where they were born or work. Then, combating seasonality, because we cannot continue to have an economy that thrives only three or four months a year. Education and family support are another priority: we want schools that better prepare children for life, particularly through the development of emotional intelligence, and we want vacation programs that help families rather than create problems for them. Finally, we need residents' quality of life: mobility, public transportation, green spaces, and, most importantly, faster and more efficient City Council services. I am disgusted to hear people say they call City Council and no one answers, or send emails and get no response, even though they know these emails enter the City Council's system through the SGD, the city's document management system. Citizens have the right to be served and respected by City Council services. Albufeira must be, above all, a city for its residents.

TPN: How do you plan to address each of these priorities?

MM: In housing, we will immediately unblock the Municipal Master Plan, which has been stalled for years and is affecting the entire municipality. We advocate for the creation of housing cooperatives and the possibility of high-rise construction in suitable areas to rapidly increase supply. We also want to free up municipal land and simplify licensing processes so that families and young people have access to housing at fair prices. To combat seasonality, we will create an annual calendar of cultural, sporting, and business events, focusing on Albufeira as a 12-month destination, and support companies that diversify their activities to generate stable employment. In education, we will introduce emotional intelligence programs in schools and revamp summer camps, making them accessible, flexible, and adapted to families' real lives. Finally, in quality of life, we will invest in more regular public transportation, well-maintained green spaces, and functional City Hall services. The City Council must serve the citizens, not the other way around. I know there are many more areas where you need to intervene, but I don't want to bore the readers. For those most interested, we will soon share our full electoral program, which will cover several sections.

TPN: How would you describe the foreign population residing in Albufeira?

MM: The foreign population residing in Albufeira is very diverse and plays a fundamental role in the municipality. Some chose Albufeira for retirement, others work and raise their children here, and others invest and create jobs. They contribute to the economy, culture, and community. Many are already integrated and consider Albufeira their home. For me, they are not just foreigners; they are residents, and as such, they must be heard and included in decisions that affect the future of the municipality.

TPN: What are your plans for the foreign population residing in the municipality?

MM: We want the foreign population to be an active part of the community. To this end, we will create better communication channels in multiple languages and simplify access to City Council services. We advocate for the creation of a support office for foreign residents, capable of providing practical guidance and answering questions. We will also promote cultural integration initiatives and support associations already working on the ground with these communities.

It is equally important to make it clear: we will not condone illegal situations. Those who live and work in Albufeira legally must be respected and integrated; those who do not comply with the law cannot benefit from the same treatment.

Finally, it is essential to provide more information about the political rights of foreign residents, including the right to vote in local elections, when permitted by law. Albufeira only benefits if everyone who lives here legally participates in the city's life.

TPN: How important is their participation in municipal elections? Whether through voting or even by being part of the lists?

MM: The participation of the foreign population is very important for local democracy. Many already have the right to vote in municipal elections, and it is essential to encourage them to register and participate. We do not yet have foreigners on our lists, but we would like that to happen in the future. Those who choose Albufeira to live are part of this land and should have a voice in its development.

TPN: What would you like to say, directly, to the Albufeira population?

MM: I want to extend a direct invitation: if you see us on the street, talk to us. Tell us what is not working, what is missing, and what could be improved. Our commitment is simple: listen, work, and present solutions. Because that is the only way to build an Albufeira com Iniciativa.

Currently, the Deputy Editor at The Portugal News, Bruno G. Santos, is really interested in national politics. With a degree in Journalism and Communication, he also loves to write about different topics like Portuguese culture, society and other current affairs. Press card: 8463.