Parliament approves JPP insularity cost proposal
The approved resolution calls for national and European measures to offset the structural extra costs of transporting and supplying goods to and from the islands.
The Assembly of the Republic approved Project of Resolution No. 1248/XVII/2.ÂŞ, which recommends that the Government adopt measures to compensate the structural extra costs of insularity and reduce their impact on the cost of living for the populations of Madeira and the Azores.
The JPP initiative recommends a national response to compensate structural extra costs linked to the transport and supply of goods, coordinated with existing regional and European mechanisms. It also calls on Portugal to seek, with European Union institutions and within the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, the creation of a POSEI Transportes to compensate the permanent extra costs of transporting goods to and from the outermost regions.
The approved project calls for periodic updates to compensation allocations and seeks to ensure that support reduces costs borne by consumers. It expressly recognises cases of double insularity, including Porto Santo.
JPP deputy Filipe Sousa welcomed the approval. According to JPP, it is an important step in recognising the higher costs faced by families and businesses in the Autonomous Regions. Sousa criticised the PSD, particularly social-democrat deputies elected by the Madeira and Azores constituencies, for voting against the initiative.
JM Madeira reported that the Assembly also rejected the remaining proposals on the cost of living.
Sources
Madeira Guide
Author