The socialist candidate addressed journalists during a rally in Porto’s historic center, responding to a challenge posed by Pedro Duarte. Duarte had questioned whether Manuel Pizarro agreed with the new immigration law and accused the Socialist Party of denying the reality of immigration issues.
“You see, Dr. Pedro Duarte is representing the government in Porto. It doesn’t seem to me that this law will significantly impact the people of Porto, regardless of its final outcome; we have other priorities. By the way, I return the question. Does Dr. Pedro Duarte support the government’s moderate rent of up to 2,300 euros or the Porto-style moderate rent I propose, 400 euros for a T1, 550 euros for a T2, 700 euros for a T3?” Pizarro retorted.
Pizarro emphasized that “these answers are what truly matter to people and make a difference,” concluding the discussion by stating, “since I believe that the people of Porto are very attentive, intelligent, and politically shrewd, I think the choice is easy.”
When asked about the social-democratic opponent’s call for strategic voting, Pizarro smiled, stating it was “still too early to do the same,” before attacking by questioning whether the people of Porto want “to elect a representative of the Lisbon government or a representative of the people of Porto.”
Pedro Duarte had criticized the proposal to build five thousand affordable housing units, claiming it could lead Porto’s municipality to “bankruptcy.” Pizarro responded with another attack, saying, “Dr. Pedro Duarte doesn’t even know the locations in Porto where houses can be built. If he knew where they are, as I have indicated, perhaps he would see my proposal is realistic.”
“The construction will be on municipal and State-owned land,” he added.
The candidates for Porto’s City Hall include Manuel Pizarro (PS), Diana Ferreira (CDU – coalition PCP/PEV), Nuno Cardoso (Porto Primeiro – coalition NC/PPM), Pedro Duarte (coalition PSD/CDS-PP/IL), Sérgio Aires (BE), current vice-president Filipe Araújo (Fazer à Porto – independent), Guilherme Alexandre Jorge (Volt), Hélder Sousa (Livre), Miguel Corte-Real (Chega), Frederico Duarte Carvalho (ADN), Maria Amélia Costa (PTP), and Luís Tinoco Azevedo (PLS).
The current executive comprises a majority of six members from Rui Moreira’s movement and one independent councilor, with two members from PS, two from PSD, one from CDU, and one from BE.
The municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
