Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he hopes part of the €300m EU aid announced for the Algarve in July will be used to boost the region’s rural interior, to combat desertification, aging and invest in new economic activities, and that local mayors will be involved in its management. The €300m is part of a €45 billion post-Covid recovery package of subsidies destined for Portugal, announced in July. The president made the comments during his weekly visit to the Algarve, this time to Alcoutim and Castro Marim.