Alexandra Leitão, leading candidate of the PS/Livre/BE/PAN coalition for the Lisbon City Council, called for “timely responses” regarding the Glória Elevator accident, which has claimed 16 lives to date.
In an interview with SIC Notícias, the socialist clarified that with the current data, she does not demand the resignation of the current city council president: “I do not ask for Carlo Moedas’ resignation, unlike what he did in 2021 regarding Fernando Medina when he said ‘technical errors should have political consequences.’ With moderation that is known to me, I do not ask for his resignation.”
Alexandra Leitão, who is contesting the Lisbon council after Carlos Moedas ‘took’ the municipality from PS (and Fernando Medina), pointed out that the mayor “is indeed involved,” but stated the issue “primarily concerns the oversight of Carris.”
Regarding the preliminary report results, the socialist expressed some criticism, noting that the time taken seemed excessive for at least a report with circumstantial results. “We will have the first information in 45 days. I have heard experts say it seems excessive and important to know sooner. I also think it would be relevant to have it sooner.”
When asked whether her statements are related to the local elections set for October 12 – before the reporting deadline – Alexandra Leitão remarked she did not expect nor was deterred by the possibility of this affecting Moedas’ electoral results, adding: “We cannot fail to mention that there are local elections.”
“A declaration that left many questions”
Regarding Moedas’ handling of this crisis, she criticized his lack of immediate response to journalists’ questions during the announcement about the tragedy.
“If I were in Carlos Moedas’ position, I wouldn’t have made a statement without accepting questions. The government has accustomed us to this, and now Carlos Moedas also made a statement with no questions. A declaration that left many questions, but there might be another opportunity,” she considered, emphasizing the importance of clarification for “all Carris users, especially those of the elevators, which are currently halted.”
“I do not know if Carlos Moedas has other information he has not disclosed. Currently, considering that, as far as I can see, it is unknown what happened with the Glória Elevator, I think suspending operations is the correct measure – although it also means there is no certainty regarding their maintenance status,” she pointed out.
According to authorities, among the 16 fatalities in Wednesday’s derailment are South Korean and Swiss nationals, in addition to Portuguese. The accident also resulted in serious injuries to individuals of various nationalities.
The Glória Elevator, managed by the municipal company Carris, connects Restauradores to the São Pedro de Alcântara Garden in Bairro Alto along a route of approximately 265 meters and is a popular attraction for tourists.
