The MEP and former leader of IL emphasized that it is crucial to understand the technical causes and circumstances surrounding the derailment that resulted in 16 deaths and 23 injuries before attributing political responsibility.
“If it turns out that technical responsibilities were linked to the way local authorities organized those services, the person accountable for that decision must be held responsible. Given the magnitude of the tragedy, they obviously need to be removed,” he argued.
The candidate suggested that in this instance, “the councillor in charge would be the primary responsible party,” specifically the deputy mayor of Lisbon, who oversees mobility and municipal companies, including Carris.
Filipe Anacoreta Correia, appointed by CDS-PP, is leaving the municipal executive as he is not part of Carlos Moedas’ re-election list, a coalition including PSD, CDS-PP, and IL.
João Cotrim de Figueiredo spoke to reporters in Peniche, Leiria district, ahead of an address for the Campus da Liberdade 2025 initiative organized by Instituto +Liberdade.
The IL MEP noted, however, that “calling for accountability without knowing the facts is an unwise impulse, as often the issue lies elsewhere.”
“The problem lies in the lack of competence and accountability within much of our public administration, which results in sudden surprises with the fragility and vulnerability of critical infrastructures like this, and that’s the key lesson to take,” he stated.
Cotrim Figueiredo lamented that “it is only when such tragedies occur that we discover the fragility of institutions and the somewhat disorganized handling of certain infrastructures that can cause significant harm.”
“If there is a reason for my desire to pursue specific changes in Portugal, it is to ensure a continuous standard of accountability, not just in the wake of such tragedies,” he asserted, advocating for “competent people in the right positions with the requisite accountability” in public administration.
The presidential candidate for the upcoming year’s elections also extended his “condolences and deepest respects” to the victims’ families.
The Glória funicular in Lisbon derailed on Wednesday, resulting in 16 deaths and 23 injuries.
The government declared a national day of mourning on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Lisbon City Council declared three days of municipal mourning from Thursday to Saturday.
The Glória funicular, operated by Carris, spans about 265 meters from Restauradores to the Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara in Bairro Alto and is a popular attraction for tourists.
