The Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), José Luís Carneiro, remained non-committal when questioned about whether the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, should resign following the Elevador da Glória tragedy, which resulted in 16 fatalities.
In statements made to journalists in Porto, Carneiro expressed “respect for the scrutiny by those who have their own election to scrutinize the President of the Lisbon City Council (CML)” and refrained from voicing any opinion on the matter.
He further noted that regarding the determination of responsibilities (not solely political), it is “necessary to await investigations” before drawing conclusions on who should be held accountable for the accident.
The stance was seemingly delegated to Alexandra Leitão, the former parliamentary leader of the socialists and current candidate for Lisbon in municipal elections.
The Socialist leader affirmed, “The Socialist Party candidate has shown great responsibility in respecting a moment of mourning and grieving”, praising that “Alexandra Leitão has done an excellent job in handling this process.”
He added, “And she will not refrain from asking the necessary questions.”
On September 4, at the time of the tram derailment, José Luís Carneiro was on a political visit in Luanda, Angola.
Carneiro also stated that “political parties with national responsibilities fulfilled their fundamental duties” by respecting the period of mourning in this instance.
Carneiro addresses the controversy over the Medicine course at the University of Porto
The PS Secretary-General also commented on the controversy involving the University of Porto’s rector and the Minister of Education, who is accused of pressuring the institution to accept medical students who did not meet the grade requirements.
“The PS, as you know, requested a hearing with both the rector and the Minister of Education in the Assembly of the Republic, and naturally, such scrutiny will occur,” stated the Socialist.
He emphasized, “But there is something I want to remind the Minister of Education,” highlighting that Fernando Alexandre, as an academic, should know that “a rector does not resign to the minister.”
“It does not align with rigorous and disciplined conduct for an academic Minister of Education to state he would accept a rector’s resignation,” he remarked.
The exchange of accusations between the Ministry of Education and the Rectorate of the University of Porto is shaping discussions this Friday, with alleged pressures to admit dozens of students versus the denial from authorities of any such incident occurring.
Ana Teresa Banha with Lusa | 19:27 – 05/09/2025
PS Leader “greatly concerned” over dismantling of the National Reading Plan
In matters of education, José Luís Carneiro also commented on the dismantling of the National Reading Plan.
“From my perspective, the government’s recent decision is very serious,” he stated, expressing that he is “greatly concerned” about the situation.
The socialist asserted that “what is at risk is the entire effort made,” particularly by those who dedicated “their lives to promoting literacy,” in a country that not long ago had one of Europe’s highest illiteracy rates.
