The Funchal Municipal Assembly approved by majority a restructuring of municipal services that will increase the number of departments from 18 to 21, taking effect in 2027.
The JPP voted against. Councillor Liliana Gama argued the city "does not need a bigger organisation chart, but a better response", and questioned the lack of a financial forecast for the Communication and Image and Protocol and Events departments.
Jorge Carvalho justified the change by the need to strengthen the council's capacity to respond, citing more than 120 events a year and a population of over 120,000. He put the cost at around 15,000 euros a year, "if that", and said 205 staff have already been integrated.