Government does not declare a state of emergency, but Montenegro announces 45 measures

Under a barrage of criticism for his handling of the fires, Luís Montenegro convened a Council of Ministers and, during prime-time television, announced to the country a package of 45 measures to address the situation. The prime minister continues to refuse to declare a state of emergency, which allows, for example, the civil requisition of private machinery and resources and requires employers of volunteer firefighters to release them to fight the fires. "There is no need for us to declare a state of emergency because the useful effect it would have is precisely that of the law we just approved," he said.

The approved supports

Among the approved measures are the strengthening of healthcare in the affected areas, including the waiving of co-payments and medication fees; financial support for families when economic hardship is proven; support for immediate goods, including animal feed; cash flow support for affected companies; financial support for farmers, even through undocumented expenses, up to a maximum of €10,000; the removal of the cap on overtime expenses for forest firefighters; the exemption from Social Security contributions for companies and self-employed workers whose activities have been affected by the fires; extraordinary financial support for companies that maintain jobs; the extension of deadlines for fulfilling contribution obligations; the reconstruction of 100% of housing up to €250,000, 85% of the remaining value; and the opening of a tender for local authorities to apply for the rapid repair of infrastructure and equipment affected by the fires.

A pact for 25 years

Furthermore, the Council of Ministers approved the "intervention plan for forests 2025-2050", which had been announced in March and which will now be sent to the Assembly of the Republic, for what Montenegro hopes will be "a true pact for forest management and protection of our territory".

Bearing in mind that situations like these could happen again, the Government “also approved a new legislative instrument that is now the framework to be adopted in circumstances similar to those the country has experienced in recent weeks,” which, according to the Prime Minister, “will be the basis from which governments can quickly and agilely implement instruments and measures to support the recovery of affected areas and people.”

According to Luís Montenegro, the document that will now go to Parliament aims to constitute "a 25-year effort to promote policies for good land use planning, forest valorization, profitability of forestry production, stimulation of economic activity, particularly agriculture, and reconciliation of all interests that can contribute to having a populated territory, with people, businesses, and activity."

Montenegro's (almost) mea culpa and justifications

Montenegro, who didn't shy away from journalists' questions, asserted that the idea that he was absent while the country burned is wrong. "If, by chance, at some point, the perception was created that this monitoring wasn't as close, as intense, or as profound, I can only regret that this happened."

Even though he considered it "unfair" that he had not been closely monitoring the situation, the Prime Minister, who in recent days has been accused of having an arrogant attitude, admitted that he may have contributed to this idea.

"But I recognize that I may also have contributed to this happening, and it doesn't hurt me to say it because I'm aware that I fulfilled my responsibilities, along with my government colleagues," he admitted.

To prove that the government hadn't been inattentive, Montenegro recalled his agenda. "The first time I went with the Minister of Internal Affairs to the operational command (...) was on July 29th, almost a month ago. There were still only a few active fires, but we were already very concerned," he said.

Montenegro also stated that the number of operational personnel was 129% higher than last year, and that active air resources increased 210% compared to the previous year. "This isn't to excuse or diminish complaints about a lack of resources; it's important to say that the effort has been at its best within our capabilities."