The mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, stated on Sunday that should it be proven he failed to provide Carris the necessary conditions following the tragic accident with the Elevador da Glória, there will be political accountability, and he will resign.
In an interview with SIC, the mayor emphasized that his priority after the fatal accident was to be on the ground, alongside the families, to whom he ensures a response will be given.
When questioned about political responsibilities, he declared, “If someone proves that Carlos Moedas did not equip the company [Carris] with conditions, that the company’s budget declined, or if someone proves that this company reduced its maintenance level, then there will be political responsibility,” he assured.
“I am very comfortable,” he added.
Carlos Moedas dismissed comparisons with the ‘Russigate’ case, in which he called for the resignation of then-Lisbon mayor, Fernando Medina, citing that the matter involved an error related to the socialist’s direct responsibility.
“In this tragedy, there is no error that can be attributed to a decision by the mayor,” he emphasized.
“If someone proves that any action I took as mayor regarding this company prevented it from spending adequately on maintenance or doing what it was supposed to, I will resign that very day,” he reiterated, mentioning that he is not responsible for managing Carris.
He was also asked about Carris president Pedro Bogas, who offered his resignation, which was declined, and the readiness to step down expressed by Filipe Anacoreta Correia, vice-president of the Lisbon City Council and council member for Mobility. Moedas considered any resignation would be “cowardice.”
“No one is leaving from here. Nobody resigns. It is cowardice. I will not allow it. We are here to face reality,” he asserted.
“Political responsibility is when the politician knows and does not act. Did anything reach my office? That did not happen. I deeply regret it. I could have made decisions,” he pointed out.
In the same interview, Carlos Moedas, who is seeking re-election to the Lisbon City Council, dismissed being focused on the upcoming municipal elections, stressing that his current thoughts are with those who are no longer here and the responses that must be given.
“Politics does not interest me much, nor do the elections interest me at this time,” he said.
The Elevador da Glória in Lisbon derailed on Wednesday, resulting in 16 deaths and 23 injuries.
The elevator, managed by Carris, connects the Restauradores area to the Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara in Bairro Alto along a route of approximately 265 meters and is highly frequented by tourists.
[Updated at 8:34 PM]
