“I hereby announce that after personal reflection, and consulting with those close to me, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for the Belmonte City Council,” stated Nuno da Câmara Pereira in a note to the press.
The fado singer referred to news items about him that he claimed were “strategically planted” and “clearly demonstrate the discomfort the candidacy caused in certain circles.”
“I did not ask to be a candidate, and I will not be a candidate of those who doubt my capability as a free and independent citizen,” added the 74-year-old agronomic engineer.
Nuno da Câmara Pereira mentioned a case involving an inheritance and emphasized that there is no judicial decision on the matter.
“Even though there has been no judicial resolution in a case involving an inheritance, which, as happens in many families, always causes friction and legal disputes, the Chega Party expressed reservations regarding maintaining political confidence,” explained the fado singer and former president of the People’s Monarchist Party.
Nuno da Câmara Pereira highlighted his commitment to personal freedom and declared he would not be the head of the Chega list in Belmonte, in the north of the Castelo Branco district.
“I leave the path clear for other names, with the hope that the solution they find for Belmonte, a place I consider my own, will prosper in the future,” he added.
Without party affiliation since 2005, the former deputy announced last week his intention to run for the Belmonte City Council, highlighting support for agriculture and the rehabilitation of historical heritage as priorities.
“I am from the Cabrals of Belmonte,” noted Nuno da Câmara Pereira, stating that his paternal grandparents were from the region and that all ancestors lived in Belmonte up to his grandparents.
The Belmonte City Council is currently led by António Dias Rocha of the PS, who is serving his third term and cannot run again.
The PS has announced the candidacy of the current mayor of Covilhã, Vítor Pereira. The head of the PSD list is Antonio Marques, a professor of Economics, while Carlos Afonso, a current councilor, is the CDU’s choice.
The municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
