“Where the CDS holds significant municipal power, expressing its values during these terms, and to allow others in, the CDS must exit or step back, without expecting to hold these positions (…) then naturally, the CDS will run alone,” he stated.
The centrist leader spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the closing session of the CDS-PP’s municipal convention, which took place this Saturday in Albergaria-a-Velha, in the district of Aveiro.
When asked about a potential coalition agreement between PSD and IL in Lisbon, Nuno Melo said this would not lead to the CDS leaving the coalition, as long as the party continues to be respected and can maintain its positions as before.
“There are coalitions currently in effect, and we understand that times change, and it might be convenient for other partners to join in some cases. Now, if with the entrance of other partners, the CDS continues to be respected and can maintain its positions as before (…) naturally, these coalitions can happen,” he stated.
Nuno Melo further mentioned that in the case of Lisbon, a negotiation process is underway, emphasizing that the agreement “must be beneficial for all parties.”
“If after careful consideration, the CDS concludes that the coalition is also good for the CDS, then the coalition is agreed upon. Where the CDS finds the coalition is not favorable, then the CDS will run independently. That is normal,” he asserted.
In the closing speech of the municipal convention, Nuno Melo also noted that the only condition he would not accept for forming coalitions is if they are made out of fear of running independently or as a favor or due to a state of necessity.
“There can only be one criterion for forming coalitions in Portugal, and that criterion is, firstly, the notion or certainty that together with others, we have a greater project for the populations. But together with others, what the CDS will do will also be with respect for our own party because precisely because we want and not because we need to, we can thus make a difference,” he concluded.
In 2021, the PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança coalition won the municipal elections in Lisbon securing seven seats.
Currently, the CDS holds two seats in the government led by social democrat Carlos Moedas, specifically vice-president Filipe Anacoreta Correia and Diogo Moura.
The municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
