As his term nears its end and the pre-electoral period begins, Filipe Daniel clarified that this decision, regrettably, does not compromise the proper functioning of the Óbidos Municipality, which, fortunately, has a high-level team of leaders and collaborators focused on executing ongoing policies, according to a statement on his social media.
With lists being formed for the municipal elections on October 12, in which he is running again, the mayor justified that “the reshuffling on the lists cannot prevail over the need to renew the team and the interests of the residents, businesses, associations, and clubs in the municipality.”
“The mayor cannot, when forming a list to run for office again, be subjected to pressures for one to occupy this or that position, and even less be intimidated by the idea that someone might present an independent candidacy,” he added.
When questioned, the PSD councilors, who were in a permanent regime with assigned responsibilities in the municipality, did not confirm joining an independent candidacy, referring explanations to a statement they released on Tuesday.
On the same day, the local officials informed the mayor that they “ceased to exercise executive functions within the municipal executive, with immediate effect, relinquishing the responsibilities assigned to them.”
The decision was justified by their lack of agreement with the political options being made.
“These options do not prioritize the most significant needs of the Óbidos municipality’s population, as we had the opportunity to communicate several times, without ever being heard,” they emphasized.
The councilors also stated that associations and entities “deserve more institutional recognition and appreciation for their role in the life of the municipality.”
“We do not agree with the leadership style that the mayor has followed over time and do not accept his detachment and the lack of recognition for the merit, effort, and results achieved by the councilors of his executive,” they conclude.
The same statement noted that the three would continue to serve their terms, remaining within the municipal executive, although without specific responsibilities.
The vice-president, José Pereira, elected on the PSD lists as an independent, was responsible for Social Intervention, Housing, Urban Solid Waste, Green Spaces, Civil Protection, and Public Transport.
Education, Cultural Health and Well-Being, Youth, Sports, and Management and Monitoring of cultural, recreational, and sports institutions were under the purview of Margarida Reis, a PSD member.
Telmo Félix, also a member, had responsibilities for Planning and Urban Management, Energy, Urban Regeneration and Requalification, Sustainability, and Administrative Modernization.
Since the previous municipal elections, the Óbidos municipal executive, in the district of Leiria, comprises four elected officials from the PSD and three from the PS.
