Political quarrels

Silves Câmara is yet to approve its 2012 budget, even though it is halfway through the year. The quarrels between the ruling PSD party and opposition PS and CDU parties mean parish councils and associations within the council are unable to fulfil their obligations, such as paying their staff, as Câmara funds have not yet been transferred. Staff at Alcantarilha parish council haven’t been paid their salaries for the last two months, president João Palma told Correio da Manhã newspaper. Tunes president José Cebola said funds to pay staff next month may be lacking. Fire-fighting associations are also being affected by the political dispute. Joaquim Gonçalves, president of the Messines Bombeiros, said the association has not been receiving the monthly payment of €7,500 by the council, which is “a real struggle”. The opposition says the 2012 budget, first presented on December 7 2011, lacks in “rigour, transparency and seriousness”. The PSD accuses the opposition of wanting to reduce income for the council and increase expenses.