The mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, spoke on CNN Portugal about the wildfire tragedy and the controversy surrounding the Festa do Pontal, the traditional PSD political ‘rentrée’ in the Algarve, which took place while part of the country was grappling with devastating fires.
The mayor criticized the timing of the Festa do Pontal amid the firefighting efforts, describing it as “in poor taste, unnecessary, and perceived as insensitive by part of the country”, noting that “even the prime minister, by now, must have realized it was in poor taste.” However, he emphasized that the prime minister was not the only one on vacation.
“Let’s not kid ourselves; the overwhelming majority of Portuguese people went on holiday to the Algarve, Comporta, and Figueira da Foz while the Interior was burning. They celebrated with concerts and much more,” he stated, highlighting his belief that “we have two countries.”
“We have one country by the Atlantic Ocean, living in apparent normality, attracting more and more people. And there’s a deserted, forgotten, empty, abandoned country that only gets attention during such fires,” he argued.
Therefore, Rui Moreira suggests that “all of us” should “reflect a little” and recognize that “even through our choices, we contribute to this situation.”
Regarding the Festa do Pontal, Rui Moreira argued that Luís Montenegro “didn’t need to fight the fires,” but the situation “demanded that the prime minister and the minister of internal administration focused on monitoring what was happening given the severity of the fires.”
“I think the idea of going to the Pontal doesn’t show proper attention at a time when it seems the country is committing suicide by fire,” he concluded.
Criticism was widespread over the Festa do Pontal held in Quarteira, Algarve, while Northern and Central Portugal battled intense fires that consumed thousands of hectares, destroyed homes, and resulted in three fatalities.
As the prime minister announced events such as the return of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in the Algarve, thousands of firefighters, supported by local residents, fought the devastating fires in the interior regions.
This led to many condemning the event and the presence of Luís Montenegro and the Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, alongside other government officials.
Among the critics were former CDS-PP leader Francisco Rodrigues dos Santos and Rui Rocha from the Liberal Initiative.
Rodrigues dos Santos labeled the Pontal “not a rentrée, but a shot in the foot”, saying “never has the contrast between the festival-goers in Quarteira and the residents of rural Portugal been so glaring and loud.”
Rui Rocha, meanwhile, stated that the announcement of the Formula 1 circuit returning to the Algarve “is akin to claiming that the Champions League final is a compensation for healthcare professionals”.
