“I want to be very clear that, at this first moment, it is a moment of solidarity and unity. Subsequently, in the coming days and early next week, clarifications are due from the Mayor [Social Democrat Carlos Moedas] and, naturally, from the municipal company Carris,” stated Alexandra Leitão after laying a wreath at the site where the Glória elevator derailed on Wednesday afternoon.
In remarks to the Lusa agency, the Socialist emphasized that “after this period of mourning,” there needs to be “a full clarification and assumption of responsibilities” regarding the accident, considering it “premature” to make a political assessment of the tragedy.
“At this moment, unlike what was done by others previously, I will not call for anyone’s resignation. Let’s see what is determined. It is true that technical errors have political consequences, but we will wait patiently and calmly,” she added.
The candidate referred to the stance taken by Carlos Moedas during the 2021 local elections when he called for the resignation of the then-mayor, Fernando Medina (PS), due to the municipality sharing data of Russian activists.
In the run-up to the local elections on October 12, Carlos Moedas, the Social Democrat, is running for re-election as Mayor of Lisbon under the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition, facing the main opposition from Socialist Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN coalition).
So far, the Socialist councilors in Lisbon City Hall, who are the main opposition force to the current PSD/CDS-PP leadership, have yet to comment on the Glória elevator derailment.
The Glória elevator, consisting of two motorized electric cabins synchronized by cable, derailed late Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people and injuring around twenty others of various nationalities.
The government declared a national day of mourning, observed today, and Lisbon City Hall declared three days of municipal mourning from Thursday to Saturday.
In the aftermath of this accident, the municipal company Carris has initiated an internal investigation to determine responsibilities, with the collaboration of external consultants, following the mayor’s request for “an independent external investigation.”
For Alexandra Leitão, the Glória elevator derailment “was a terrible accident, probably the worst accident that has occurred in Lisbon in the 21st century and much of the past century.”
The PS/Livre/BE/PAN coalition’s lead candidate emphasized that these initial days after the accident are a time of mourning and tribute to the deceased and injured victims, as well as the professionals who provided assistance, namely firefighters, police forces, civil protection, and health professionals “who responded immediately.”
“Naturally, following this period of mourning, I believe there are explanations that must be requested and given […] It is a municipal company, the board of directors is appointed by the city council, and therefore explanations are due from both the company and the council, but that will have to be, in a second phase, soon, but not immediately,” she stated.
The Socialist also mentioned that the city council must ensure support for the victims’ families, including covering travel and repatriation expenses.
Alexandra Leitão also expressed solidarity with the employees of Carris and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, particularly for the deceased victims, which include personnel from these two organizations, from the elevator operator to staff of the social charity institution.
Regarding the elevator’s maintenance, now outsourced to an external company rather than handled by Carris’s workshop employees, the Socialist deemed it “very premature” to comment on the quality of the current service.
“We will await the results to understand the role of various parties involved in this entire process, from Carris to the externally contracted entity,” she indicated.
