The ‘António Araújo – Fazemos das Tripas Coração’ movement expressed dismay in a statement regarding the recent decision impacting their candidacy. They emphasized having submitted “far more than the required minimum of 4,000 signatures,” adding that their “last hope was in the complete impartiality of the Constitutional Court” after being denied a recount.
“Unfortunately, this body rejected our appeal, meaning that we cannot proceed with our candidacy for the Porto City Council or the Municipal Assembly,” the statement reads.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling states: “For all the reasons presented, it is decided that all appeals are unfounded, thus affirming the rejection of the candidacies by the ‘António Araújo – Fazer das tripas coração’ citizen group.”
The decision follows a ruling on August 26 by the Porto Court of Appeal, which rejected the candidacy on the grounds that only 1,800 of the 4,000 required signatures were presented.
Throughout this process, the press release claims the “candidacy faced various pressures not to proceed, both from candidates of different political parties and by mere field helpers who persistently tried to ‘buy’ our withdrawal.”
In response, the movement stated, “we cannot believe that the judiciary is subjected to such pressures,” expressing concern that “the additional difficulty faced by independent movements in presenting a candidacy might be only legislative obstacles imposed by political parties fearing the rise of active citizen groups.”
“We recall that this was the only truly independent candidacy that, unlike other pseudo-independents, never succumbed to persistent support attempts made by two major political parties,” the movement continued, emphasizing its “birth from the nonpartisan, liberal, and innovative spirit that so well characterizes the people of Porto.”
They assert: “You can expect constant scrutiny and the provision of solutions for everyone’s city, Porto. Despite everything and many who do not wish it, we will continue to make every effort for the Invicta!”
The candidates for the Porto City Council include Manuel Pizarro (PS), Diana Ferreira (CDU – PCP/PEV coalition), Nuno Cardoso (Porto Primeiro – NC/PPM coalition), Pedro Duarte (PSD/IL/CDS-PP), Sérgio Aires (BE), current vice-president Filipe Araújo (independent movement), Guilherme Alexandre Jorge (Volt), Hélder Sousa (Livre), Miguel Corte-Real (Chega), Frederico Duarte Carvalho (ADN), Maria Amélia Costa (PTP), and Luís Tinoco Azevedo (Partido Liberal Social).
The current executive consists of a majority of six members elected by Rui Moreira’s movement and one independent councilor, with the remaining two from the PS, two from the PSD, one CDU, and one BE.
The municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
