According to Mayor Luísa Salgueiro, the city has flourished through social policy. She believes it is important that other European countries are also becoming more social now. “We can’t talk about our collective progress if we’re not talking about social rights. We can’t leave anyone behind.”
Nevertheless, according to economists, there are also reservations about Portugal’s policy. According to Professor Catherine Moury of the University in Lisbon, it is true that Portugal has come out of the crisis faster than countries such as Greece and Italy. But Prime Minister Costa’s policies are not free. “Civil servants were now allowed to work 35 hours a week, but no more civil servants were added.”
Not enough hospital staff
This was noticeable in public hospitals after the corona outbreak. The large staff shortage has created long waiting lists for public hospitals. Also, according to Moury, money has not been invested in major infrastructure projects in years. “It is a problem that you will not see in the short term, but you will certainly notice it in the long term.”
Tonight and tomorrow, European heads of government will discuss their social ambitions. Left-wing parties in the European Parliament hope that there will be a European social policy, including a European minimum wage. The chance that this will happen is very small. Most countries want to continue to determine their own social policy.
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