“Alexandra Leitão was present at the protests against the police. That’s where she was. She wasn’t on the side of law and order. She also had, in a way, political weight in her party so that her party [PS] voted against the new immigration law,” stated Carlos Moedas, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a campaign action in the Campo de Ourique neighborhood.
Accompanying the comments of the head of the “Por ti, Lisboa” coalition – PSD/CDS-PP/IL – that the socialist candidate for the Lisbon City Council is “on the wrong side” regarding security and immigration, PSD leader Hugo Soares challenged Alexandra Leitão to clarify today, along with the BE leader, Mariana Mortágua, if she believes that “Portugal should not have regulated immigration.”
“It’s that the two radical left-wing forces that are against immigration regulation will join,” stated the PSD secretary-general, reinforcing the idea that Alexandra Leitão supported “protests against the forces of authority.”
The issue concerns the protest against police action on Rua do Benformoso — “Don’t push us against the wall,” which the socialist has already stated “was never a protest against the police.”
Regarding the Spinumviva case news, according to which prosecutors responsible for the preventive inquiry consider that a criminal investigation should be opened against the prime minister, Luís Montenegro (PSD), Hugo Soares emphasized that they were “disproven five minutes later,” with the clarification from the Attorney General’s Office that the inquiry is ongoing.
“All sensible Portuguese are outraged against dirty campaigns,” considered the PSD secretary-general.
Carlos Moedas also lamented the emergence of this news “in the middle of municipal elections,” when “the prime minister has already provided all explanations,” agreeing that “it’s a shame” and denying any electoral impact: It will have no influence, it cannot have.”
In the streets of Campo de Ourique, with the cloudy sky and even some drizzle, the music of the entourage led by Carlos Moedas promised: “For you, Lisbon, the sun will shine.” For this, they appealed for votes, entering cafes and other local trade establishments, also listening to the residents’ problems, from transportation to housing.
As the candidate for re-election as Mayor of Lisbon reinforced that he has been making the street his office for four years, without “ever giving up” solving problems, the PSD secretary-general praised “the adherence” of the population to Carlos Moedas’ project, “which solves people’s real-life problems.”
Emphasizing that the choice in the capital is between Carlos Moedas’ “moderate” candidacy (PSD/CDS-PP/IL) and the “radicals” of Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), Hugo Soares expressed confidence in the PSD mayor’s victory: “I have no doubt, none, that we are looking at the mayor and future mayor of Lisbon City Council.”
The PSD secretary-general also backed the victory for the Porto City Council, with Pedro Duarte’s candidacy (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), reinforcing the social democrats’ goal to win the municipal elections on Sunday, with more council presidencies than the PS, also aiming to regain the National Association of Municipalities, stating that “the starting point is very difficult.”
Continuing to distance himself from the “moderate rents” up to 2,300 euros/month of the PSD/CDS-PP government, the candidate for re-election as Mayor of Lisbon reiterated that in the capital, the focus is on “affordable housing,” accusing the PS and BE of “blocks” in the municipal executive for building more houses.
“I was the first politician to speak about the increase in insecurity in Lisbon,” explained Carlos Moedas when questioned about the data from the Polícia Judiciária, released today, concerning the 17% increase in reported rapes in the city from 2023 to 2024, a year in which 75 complaints were registered.
The social democrat’s commitment involves demanding “more police” from the government.
Besides Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL) and Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), João Ferreira (CDU-PCP/PEV), Bruno Mascarenhas (Chega), Ossanda Líber (Nova Direita), José Almeida (Volt), Adelaide Ferreira (ADN), Tomaz Ponce Dentinho (PPM/PTP), and Luís Mendes (RIR) are also running for the presidency of the Lisbon City Council.
