# AD Proposes Coercive Debt Collection for Vandalism of National Monuments The coalition seeks to hold individuals financially accountable for cleaning costs of damaged heritage. - **Source:** [Observador](https://observador.pt) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0d2442c4-7199-4ba1-8beb-d89bb96f6168 ## New Legislative Proposal The AD coalition, comprising PSD and CDS-PP, is introducing a specific amendment to the State Budget. This proposal establishes a legal framework for the coercive collection of costs associated with cleaning vandalized monuments. Paulo Núncio emphasized that the primary objective is to ensure that those who cause damage bear the financial burden. ## The Polluter-Pays Principle The initiative is framed under the 'polluter-pays' principle, shifting the economic responsibility from taxpayers to the perpetrators. Paulo Núncio stated that it is unacceptable for the general public to fund the removal of graffiti or other damage. The measure aims to enforce personal accountability for individuals who vandalize national heritage sites. ## Procedural Enforcement Mechanism Once an author of vandalism is identified, the state or municipal entity will notify them to cover the cleaning costs within 30 days. If the payment is not received within this period, the affected entity may initiate a tax execution process to recover the debt through formal, coercive legal collection methods. ## Scope of Application The proposal applies to both central state entities and municipal councils, depending on which body manages the damaged monument. By utilizing the tax execution process, the government intends to guarantee that the financial recovery is effective. This mechanism ensures that the entity responsible for the damage is held directly accountable. ## Political Context and Justification During the presentation, coalition leaders Hugo Soares and Paulo Núncio defended the measure as a matter of justice. While recent protests involving monument damage were mentioned, the coalition leadership insisted that the timing of the proposal is secondary to the inherent fairness of requiring vandals to pay for their actions. ## Distinction from Recent Protests Paulo Núncio explicitly declined to link this specific legislative proposal to recent housing demonstrations. Although Carlos Moedas previously estimated the cleaning costs for the Rossio statue at over 100,000 euros, the coalition maintains that this policy is a general measure designed to protect national history and cultural property from future acts. ## Legislative Integration Process The proposal is being introduced during the specialty phase of the State Budget discussions in the Assembly of the Republic. By integrating this into the budget, the coalition aims to create a permanent, enforceable regime that allows public entities to recover funds spent on restoring vandalized national heritage sites across Portugal. ## Implications for Future Vandalism This policy represents a shift toward stricter fiscal accountability for public property damage. By formalizing the collection process, the state seeks to deter future vandalism by neonazi groups or other actors. The success of this measure will depend on the effective identification of perpetrators before the tax execution can proceed. ## Sources covering this story - [Observador — AD Proposes Coercive Collection for Monument Vandalism Cleanup Costs](https://observador.pt/2026/11/06/ad-quer-que-quem-danifique-monumentos-pague-a-limpeza-havera-cobranca-coerciva-para-quem-nao-pague/) - [RTP Notícias — PSD and CDS Propose Coercive Collection for National Heritage Vandalism](https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/economia/psd-e-cds-avancam-com-cobranca-coerciva-por-vandalismo-em-patrimonio-nacional_n1777417) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._