“For the CPL, the dialogue process remains open,” stated the political association established in 2007 by architect Helena Roseta, in a note sent to Lusa.
The CPL has participated in Lisbon’s local elections, always in candidacies led by the PS, at the last five elections: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021.
This year, the CPL reaches maturity and currently holds seats in Lisbon’s city council and municipal assembly in the 2021-2025 term.
Without any reference to the CPL, the candidate for the Lisbon City Council led by socialist Alexandra Leitão confirmed today that the coalition would include Livre, BE, and PAN, with the coalition project presented on Friday.
“The Citizens for Lisbon were not informed of the closure of an agreement with political parties,” the political association expressed.
The electoral agreement among PS, Livre, BE, and PAN, which Lusa accessed, outlines the possibility of considering the inclusion of independent and progressive citizen movements in the coalition.
In response, the CPL recalled that since 2009 their participation in local politics with the PS has always been through formal written agreements, acknowledging the association’s legitimate involvement both programmatically and representationally.
In June, five months after PS announced Alexandre Leitão as their top candidate for the Lisbon mayoral elections set for October 12, the CPL released its manifesto on what they envision for the capital from 2025-2029.
The political association expressed its intent to run in the next local elections as part of a coalition with PS, Livre, BE, and PAN.
Standing for a leftist coalition, the CPL president stated in June that their association could independently run in the upcoming local elections, given the work carried out over the past 18 years. However, she emphasized that the current political climate calls for unity.
Paula Marques, CPL president and current city councilor, conveyed to Lusa that the current political scenario is challenging, particularly following the difficult results for left parties in the legislative elections on May 18, which saw the growth of the far-right Chega party.
For this reason, CPL leader advocated for leftist political forces to unite in a candidacy for upcoming local elections, suggesting that such a coalition could also incorporate social and civic movements, while acknowledging that the PCP might not join due to its own unavailability.
During the 2021 local elections, CPL participated under the PS/Livre coalition “Mais Lisboa,” led by former mayor Fernando Medina (PS), defeated by the “Novos Tempos” coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança) led by Carlos Moedas, who governs without an absolute majority and has already announced his reelection bid under a coalition between PSD, CDS-PP, and IL.
For the 2021-2025 term, CPL supports “a change project,” believing Carlos Moedas’ governance represents a “setback” for the city.
Candidates for the Lisbon mayoral election on October 12 include Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), João Ferreira (CDU – PCP/PEV coalition), Ossanda Líber (New Right), José Pinto Coelho (Arise!), Bruno Mascarenhas (Chega), and José Almeida (Volt).
The current executive includes seven members of the “Novos Tempos” coalition – PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança, seven members from “Mais Lisboa” – PS/Livre, two from CDU, and one from BE.
