Parliament approves immediate suspension of Algarve oil drilling

The entire Left of parliament, which enjoys a majority, has approved a recommendation calling for the suspension of exploration and extraction of oil and gas in the Algarve.

The decision, voted through by the Socialists, Left Bloc, Communists, Greens and the Party for People, Animals and Nature, supported a government recommendation that oil exploration in southern Portugal cease with immediate effect.

The proposal was voted against by the Social Democrats and the Popular Party, who previously formed the coalition government which signed off these contracts, one of them days before last October’s general elections.

A second proposal, to further evaluate negative environmental impacts of oil prospecting in the Algarve was also approved by a parliamentary majority.

According to the National Authority for the Fuel Market (ENMC) prospecting for oil at Aljezur and Tavira will be conducted over a period of eight years and at a final estimated cost of four million euros.

The ENMC President Paulo Carmona said back in December following opposition to oil drilling in the Algarve that “it is necessary to do away with pre-conceived ideas.

