“The PSD has long lost strategic autonomy in Oeiras and is, for all intents and purposes, in Isaltino Morais’ pocket,” stated the coalition uniting Livre, BE, and Volt for the October 12 elections in this Lisbon district municipality.
The coalition also targeted the PS, highlighting that despite publicly criticizing the PSD’s support for Isaltino Morais, the socialists usually “do post-election what the PSD is doing pre-electoral: integrate into Isaltino Morais’ governing majority.”
Throughout the municipal term, the coalition, via councilor Carla Castelo, “was the only opposition in the Oeiras City Hall,” it further emphasized.
“And that is the commitment we will continue to make with the people of Oeiras. We will always oppose the concrete, asphalt, and opacity pact of Isaltino Morais and be at the forefront of defending a new green pact for Oeiras, made with people, the environment, and transparency in public office,” it concluded.
On Tuesday, the PSD announced its National Political Committee had decided to support the mayoral candidacy—who has already presided over this Lisbon district municipality elected by the party—for a third consecutive term.
Isaltino Morais reaffirmed the independence of his project today, but acknowledged that “all support is welcome” and that PSD’s support recognizes the “social-democratic policies” of the municipality.
The Oeiras council leader governs with an absolute majority—the current executive of Oeiras comprises eight members from the IN-OV movement, along with a PS councilor with assigned portfolios, a PSD councilor also with portfolios, and an independent councilor nominated by BE in a coalition.
This independent councilor, Carla Castelo, is again the top candidate this year in the Livre/BE/Volt coalition, and other candidates who have already announced their candidacies include former Secretary of State for Inclusion Ana Sofia Antunes (PS), manager Bruno Mourão Martins (IL), deputy Pedro Frazão (Chega), and teacher Sandra Lemos (CDU).
