Alexandra Leitão took the stage as a speaker at the PS National Municipal Convention, addressing the urgent housing issue and emphasizing the need for a reflective discussion on tourism in Lisbon following a tragedy that claimed 16 lives in the capital.
The candidate leading the PS/Livre/BE/PAN coalition for Lisbon’s City Hall noted, “considering the terrible tragedy that occurred in Lisbon” and out of respect for the victims, it is essential “to restore people’s confidence in the city’s infrastructure, specifically the mobility infrastructures, and to find alternative solutions for the elevators that will remain closed.”
“I mentioned this initially, and now it seems a solution is being sought. However, a calm discussion on infrastructure is necessary, precisely due to the burden these infrastructures carry,” she explained.
Leitão clarified that she was not asserting “whether the burden is excessive or insufficient.”
“Now, a calm debate is required, and a load study in the city of Lisbon on various aspects—sanitation, urban hygiene, and all infrastructures, including mobility—is necessary,” she argued.
Addressing recent reports concerning the choice of cables with a plastic core as a potential cause of the accident, the socialist refrained from commenting on technical matters she is not familiar with.
“Regarding that, I will only say this: it is crucial to clarify everything, to establish accountability as a tribute, first and foremost, to the memory of the victims and for the victims themselves. Beyond that, you will not hear me say more,” she stressed.
Leitão highlighted that “clarification and accountability” are necessary.
“The opposition in Lisbon’s City Council requested several documents that had not been fully received by yesterday. It is crucial to ascertain everything calmly and serenely—not for any other reason but to prevent recurrence and to restore the confidence of Lisbon residents in their infrastructures,” she stated.
