The Chega district office in Viseu expressed criticism today over a PSD-elected councilor’s decision to join the PS-led municipal government, calling it a “blow to voter trust”.
In a press release, Chega expressed “complete bewilderment at the decision of the PSD-elected councilor, Pedro Ribeiro, to abandon the political project for which he was elected and join the socialist governance” in Viseu.
“This action signifies a betrayal of voter trust and a demonstration that personal interest outweighs ethics and political consistency for both the corruptible and the corruptor,” stated Chega, which elected one councilor in this municipality.
The Viseu PSD local committee announced on Monday that it withdrew political support from Councilor Pedro Ribeiro following his decision “to distance himself from the social-democrat project that elected him and support the PS” in the municipal executive.
In a statement, PSD expressed outrage, deeming the decision a “serious breach of the commitment made with the PSD and the people of Viseu, on the list led by Fernando Ruas,” who was defeated in these municipal elections.
“Anyone elected by a party who subsequently abandons it to serve another political project fails in democratic ethics and betrays voter trust,” stated PSD in the communiqué signed by João Paulo Gouveia, the Political Section Commission president and fellow councilor.
João Azevedo succeeded Fernando Ruas after the PS defeated the PSD, which had led Viseu’s City Council for 36 years, in the municipal elections on the 12th. Both PS and PSD secured four positions, while Chega claimed one.
Fernando Ruas, who returned to the presidency in 2021 after previously holding the position from 1989 to 2013 and hoped for another term, resigned his mandate. Subsequently, João Paulo Gouveia, Leonor Barata, José Alberto Ferreira, and Pedro Ribeiro from the PSD, and Bernardo Pessanha from Chega assumed office on Friday.
Chega pointed out today that it has often been accused of not containing internal defections and was repeatedly considered a possible coalition partner in Viseu during campaigns. However, it remained faithful to its electorate even under pressure to accept convenient solutions.
“Chega has consistently highlighted the political promiscuity between PS and PSD, warning that essentially, both parties represent a system that protects and perpetuates itself at any cost. The situation in Viseu is merely another chapter in this old politics that the people of Viseu know all too well,” the party argued.
The party reaffirmed its “commitment to a responsible but uncompromising opposition serving Viseu and its people,” emphasizing that “while others switch sides according to the wind’s direction, Chega remains where it always has: on the side of truth, consistency, and those who reject crony politics between PS and PSD.”
