The Coimbra City Council approved the transfer of two buildings in the Baixa to the Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, in a vote where the five opposition councilors were absent in protest. The proposal was unanimously approved by the six present councilors, five from the coalition Avançar Coimbra and the former councilor from Chega. The properties, located on Rua Ferreira Borges and currently occupied by municipal services, will be transferred for a period of 10 years, renewable, with a gross floor area of approximately 1,700 square meters.
The opposition councilors, belonging to the coalition Juntos Somos Coimbra, questioned the absence of property evaluation, economic-financial study, and safety opinions, considering that the agreement's draft protects the interests of CIMRC more than those of the municipality. The former Mayor José Manuel Silva stated that, although he supports the installation of ISMT in the Baixa, doubts were raised about the counterparty benefits for Coimbra and the future of the buildings currently used by the institute in Celas.
The Mayor of Coimbra, Ana Abrunhosa, explained that the municipality chose not to follow the prior evaluation recommendation contained in a legal opinion delivered to the opposition, as it is not binding and because it considered the evaluation unnecessary in this case, also highlighting the proximity of the start of classes, scheduled for September 14.
The ISMT recorded a drop of more than 30% in new enrollments in the past academic year and presented a negative net result of 70 thousand euros in 2025. In the past, the Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education decided not to accredit the institute and ordered its closure, a decision that is being contested in court.