In an interview regarding the October 12 elections, João Campolargo identified bureaucracy and VAT procedures as significant challenges currently faced by voter citizen groups (GCE).
“When we prepare to formalize our candidature, we must gather signatures, which often requires more effort than political parties have to exert,” he stated.
As the mayor of Ílhavo, one of 19 municipalities led by independents in the current term, Campolargo noted that these groups are unable to deduct VAT.
“It’s all cost for us. This increases our responsibility since we lack ‘background’. For campaign investments, we directly finance them, and subsidy payments are uncertain,” he explained.
Nonetheless, there are 70 more independent candidacies compared to 2021, indicated the president of AMAI, which currently includes 19 municipalities and 415 parish councils.
According to association data, GCEs are fielding candidates for 100 municipal councils, 99 municipal assemblies, and 906 parish assemblies in the upcoming elections.
“Besides the additional 70 candidacies, it’s significant to note that political parties had to unite to participate in the elections. […] The candidates include many independents who are not party members. This indicates that party structures are currently unable to meet their municipal needs,” he highlighted.
In the October 12 elections, Campolargo is optimistic that citizen groups can “maintain or increase the number of councils and have more municipal assemblies and parish councils” but acknowledges the need to address the “communication challenge” for candidates.
“There’s still difficulty in the population understanding [what GCEs are]. They recognize our faces, but often don’t associate them on the ballot, as they are accustomed to voting for political parties. […] We are outside the familiar sphere where people currently vote,” he warned.
Looking to the 2029 local elections, the AMAI president hopes to work with the current government on “a revision of the law” to “address the accounting management” of GCEs.
“A review is necessary because we dissolve after the election and cannot deduct VAT. [We want] either VAT exemption, something similar, or a reduced VAT. Consideration is needed as it’s challenging. Without an election campaign, how will people know us?” he asked.
João Campolargo also called on political parties to “increasingly respect independent movements.”
“We do the same and wish to be treated equally at work tables, without favoritism towards party affiliates and with support for all,” he concluded.
In the October 12 local elections, voters will elect leaders for 308 municipal councils, 308 municipal assemblies, and 3,221 parish assemblies. An additional 37 parishes will select their executives in citizen plenaries due to having fewer than 150 voters.
Provisional figures from the National Election Commission (CNE) reveal 817 candidate forces, including 618 citizen voter groups, also known as independent movements.
