Supporters from one of the Algarve’s anti-oil campaigning organisations are to walk along the beach from Vale de Lobo to GIGI beach at Quinta do Lago, on the morning of August 10th, where an open letter to the President of the Republic will be read out in the wake of the PM's TV blunder.
The Movement for an Algarve Fee of Oil (MALP) says the walk is an anti-oil protest specifically against oil exploration in the Algarve and against the Aljezur test well due to be sunk this Autumn.
MALP statement said the organisation expressed, "amazement at the anti-democratic arrogance of Prime Minister, António Costa, during the latest episode of 5 Para a Meia-Noite on RTP1 (HERE) when he stated that the test well would go ahead, despite all the protests.
Costa was asked, “will the Aljezur drill project being going ahead?”
Costa replied, “I hope so.”
"In spite of all the objections?"
Costa shrugged his shoulders and laughed, “In spite of all objections,” affirmed the prime minister.
MALP says that the Intermunicipal Community of the Algarve (AMAL) and several Municipal Assemblies in the Algarve and in the Alentejo have voted against oil exploration in the Algarve and against the Aljezur test well.
The main business associations in the Algarve firmly have positioned themselves against the exploration and exploitation of oil, including the hotel Association, the main environmental associations in the country and all the anti-oil social media groups and movements in the Algarve.
The PM’s TV blunder indeed did exemplify the arrogance with which the government has approached the oil and gas exploration question, ignoring widespread protest, a 42,000 signature petition and a regional uprising against an industry whose ability to pollute is unmatched.
