Funchal City Council Urges Participation in Migrant Community Social Diagnostic Study. The Funchal City Council today appealed for participation in the social diagnostic study of Funchal, which aims to integrate the migrant community. The so-called Diagnostic Study of the Migrant Community in Funchal aims to develop effective strategies and public policies for the reception andContinue reading “Migrants: Funchal Raises Awareness for Social Diagnostic Study”
Author Archives: RedX
‘Todas as Cores’ (All the colours) Event: A Celebration of Diversity in Funchal (Madeira).
The event ‘Todas as Cores’ (All Colors) brought together over 30 nationalities in a multicultural environment. Last Saturday, the Funchal City Council held the ‘Todas as Cores’ event, gathering over one hundred participants from 30 different nationalities in a multicultural setting focused on health and well-being. The event encompassed various initiatives and public spaces acrossContinue reading “‘Todas as Cores’ (All the colours) Event: A Celebration of Diversity in Funchal (Madeira).”
So what did AI have to say about the accusations in yesterday’s blog?
Yes, there are significant statistics and information supporting the Portuguese press’s highlighting of fake news and lies in recent election campaigns, particularly those in May 2025.A key source is a report by Cyabra, an AI platform for disinformation detection, titled “Fake Voices, Real Votes.” This report, widely featured by CNN Portugal, focused on social mediaContinue reading “So what did AI have to say about the accusations in yesterday’s blog?”
Report Points to Chega as a Major Source of Electoral Disinformation
From RTP News 28/6/25 A SmartVote report indicates that Portugal and Spain have seen an increase in electoral disinformation, particularly during legislative elections, with far-right parties like Chega identified as primary sources. SmartVote, an entity dedicated to studying disinformation in Portugal, Spain, and the European Union (EU), states, “Both Spain and Portugal have witnessed aContinue reading “Report Points to Chega as a Major Source of Electoral Disinformation”
What are the Madeirans gaining or losing as a result of the deep divide between them and legal immigrants?
This blog has already covered the benefits at a macro level for Portugal and Madeira. Such as strengthening a weak demographic situation due to an aging population and low birth rates. Supplementing local manpower shortages, both skilled and unskilled. Making a huge contribution to social security income, and taking comparatively little money out …. andContinue reading “What are the Madeirans gaining or losing as a result of the deep divide between them and legal immigrants?”
Immigration on the Spanish islands
This makes an interesting comparison for Madeira Island, except that here we don’t have much illegal immigration from Africa. Based on the available information, here’s a breakdown of Spanish islands with significant immigrant populations:By Population Percentage:The Balearic Islands consistently show the highest percentage of foreign-born residents. * As of January 2025, nearly 28.3% of theContinue reading “Immigration on the Spanish islands”
Costa del Sol. Spanish coast, an area of high immigration during decades.
I tried to find contacts to talk about similar situations to that of Madeira, asking about legal immigration and how it was handled both at government level, and the experiences of locals and immigrants. Some responses are relevant, yet conflicting. Some interesting reading, but little about the big questions that I need to investigate. TheContinue reading “Costa del Sol. Spanish coast, an area of high immigration during decades.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The attempts of immigrants to impose their own culture and traditions on the the island, interfering with and spoiling those that have existed during decades or centuries.
This is the final article in this series about the grievances of the local population against foreigners. I am really at a bit of a loss to understand the real concern that is making this an issue for Madeirans. This was published in yesterday’s Journal da Madeira (23 May). It is an annual event, andContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The attempts of immigrants to impose their own culture and traditions on the the island, interfering with and spoiling those that have existed during decades or centuries.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The impact of immigration (and growing tourism) on the environment and way of life.
I have already covered much of this topic in the last week, but not said much about tourism yet. Tourism is starting to annoy Madeirans, as the island is almost permanently on the verge of ‘full house’. So flights and accommodation are available and reasonably well balanced, but the island itself is not prepared forContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The impact of immigration (and growing tourism) on the environment and way of life.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Increasing levels of crime, and more serious crime problems, such as drug trafficking.
This issue is part of a broader discussion in Portugal regarding immigration and crime, which often sees conflicting narratives between public perception and official statistics. Here’s a breakdown of what the information available suggests: Public Perception vs. Statistics: While some media and public discourse in Portugal, including Madeira, link an increase in crime to immigration,Continue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Increasing levels of crime, and more serious crime problems, such as drug trafficking.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The employment of immigrants in precious jobs opportunities. This allegedly leading to increasing emigration of Madeirans to find work away from home. Also there is a wide perception that high immigration puts a downward pressure on wage structures for local people.
This has the origin of Fransisco Gomes of the extreme right political party, Chega, although often mentioned in social media too. Madeira is in a golden age of employment. Unemployment is at its lowest level for many years, and continuing to decline. The difficulty in filling vacancies has seen employers searching for staff overseas forContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The employment of immigrants in precious jobs opportunities. This allegedly leading to increasing emigration of Madeirans to find work away from home. Also there is a wide perception that high immigration puts a downward pressure on wage structures for local people.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The strain that immigration is putting on government provided services. Particularly those in the health service, education, and social security.
Before any analysis of any particular government service and the response to any strain or shortfall in services, the following should be taken into account. So, in no particular order, the state provided services considered here are: A. Serviço Regional de Saúde (SRS). While immigrants do contribute significantly to the Portuguese economy and their overallContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. The strain that immigration is putting on government provided services. Particularly those in the health service, education, and social security.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Growing inflation for all basic needs, and in local shops and businesses.
As increasing house prices and rent were discussed in yesterday’s blog. Here is the AI response to the following question. Q1: In Madeira locals accuse immigrants of being responsible for higher inflation. Ignoring housing inflation, is there any connection between higher prices in shops and businesses due to immigration? A1: The relationship between immigration andContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Growing inflation for all basic needs, and in local shops and businesses.”
The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Housing accessibility for local people.
Starting with the main area of conflict, and my simple opinion, followed by a deeper analysis by AI. Housing and accommodation availability and pricing. A general issue in Portugal, but a more serious and very valid concern in Madeira, due to the acute shortage of existing housing stock and the constraints of building on aContinue reading “The matters at the heart of widening divisions between Madeirans and immigrants. Housing accessibility for local people.”
Racism in Europe
https://orda.shef.ac.uk/articles/figure/European_map_of_Implicit_Racial_Bias/4750588 This was produced by Sheffield University in England in 2017. The study and analysis methods are available from the URL above. The more red, the worse the racism is … in the simplest terms. Portugal is like a red wine stain, Madeira is likely to be even worse. Even many mainland portuguese visitors orContinue reading “Racism in Europe”
Yesterday’s election results for Portugal and Madeira Island
Starting with the national situation (AI assisted): * Democratic Alliance (AD): * Led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, the center-right AD won the election. * They secured approximately 32.7% of the vote. * They gained 89 seats in the 230-seat parliament. * This represents an increase in seats compared to the 2024 election. * SocialistContinue reading “Yesterday’s election results for Portugal and Madeira Island”
This page outlines what AI found regarding matters of immigration, emigration, free movement, and residency and other rights as defined by the Portuguese Constitution, EU law (enshrined in Portuguese law), and Schengen rights.
Not really interesting reading, but included here because this information is crucial to prove and defend the rights of those entitled to enjoy the benefits of EU membership, in other member states. These are are not the complete laws that cover individuals rights and duties, but do provide references to research further information. These willContinue reading “This page outlines what AI found regarding matters of immigration, emigration, free movement, and residency and other rights as defined by the Portuguese Constitution, EU law (enshrined in Portuguese law), and Schengen rights.”
Why is there so much hatred towards foreigners in the Madeiran community?
I read several times the contents about immigrants and the intentions of the extreme right party Chega from its press briefing yesterday (blog 16th May). The hatred is really quite shocking! … and worrying. Not so much that it is clear that Chega appears to want to take Portugal out of Europe and Schengen, aContinue reading “Why is there so much hatred towards foreigners in the Madeiran community?”
Some newspaper clippings (translated from Portuguese) leading up the the general election on 18th May 2025
This first one is from the moderate left party Bloco de esquerda. Left Bloc in defense of immigrants criticizes Chega’s “xenophobic discourse”. In a press release, the Left Bloc candidate for the national legislative elections defends immigrants working in the Region, criticizing “the xenophobic discourse” of the Chega party candidate. “During this campaign, the LeftContinue reading “Some newspaper clippings (translated from Portuguese) leading up the the general election on 18th May 2025”
What are the impacts of the growing dissatisfaction of the Madeiran people on the immigrant population and visitors?
There is no one simple answer to this question. Aside from the problems that have always existed for those who chose Madeira to live, or just for vacations. It is different for persons in different locations, for those who try to integrate, those who learn the Portuguese language, those who watch Portuguese news or readContinue reading “What are the impacts of the growing dissatisfaction of the Madeiran people on the immigrant population and visitors?”
Healing Madeira 