“It’s a historic night for Viseu. I want to publicly acknowledge my opponent Fernando Ruas (PSD), but democracy mandates respect for those who practice it. I must thank my family; I have had a long political career, but this is a special victory. I also dedicate this great win to someone who always supported me: Jorge Coelho (deceased). I cannot forget José Junqueiro, who also passed away some time ago.”
The Viseu City Hall had been governed by the PSD since 1989 and had never had a president elected by the PS.
In his victory speech, from atop an open bus, João Azevedo dedicated the win to “all those who believed” that the moment “was possible,” as well as to all candidates for the City Council and Municipal and Parish Assemblies, “true heroes.”
“Certainly, there were people who thought it was difficult, extremely difficult, for us to win the elections, but I had great confidence in these teams and knew this would happen, that we would have a great victory today [on Sunday],” he stated.
The moment “is very special and full of joy, but from tomorrow, it brings great responsibility and demands.”
“I don’t want any of you to regret giving your body and soul to this project. The next four years will be demanding, committed to the young, the older, the women, and the men of this municipality, and we will do everything to meet your ambitions and what you believe we can achieve,” he promised.
João Azevedo also spoke about the region, as the district capital and the Viseu Dão Lafões Intermunicipal Community (CIM), advocating that Viseu “must lead” in “various areas, as it is the municipality that serves as the main engine for regional development.”
“The municipalities within the CIM, within the district and the Central region, will always find solidarity on my part, without building walls, and with joint efforts. We will work hard to ensure happiness,” he said.
In this regard, he called for “solidarity, demand, and contact,” as he claimed he would be at the Viseu City Hall “always to listen and never hiding behind doors to avoid it.”
“We are filled with a will to work, we will give our all to win and make a great mandate in the next four years.”
Apart from João Azevedo, the candidates for the Viseu City Hall included Fernando Ruas (PSD), Bernardo Pessanha (Chega), Hélio Marta (IL), Leonel Ferreira (CDU), Hélder Amaral (CDS-PP), and Paulo Quintão (ADN).
By about 1:00 AM on Monday, the PS had four seats elected with 24,095 votes (42.28%); the PSD also had four elected with 23,296 (40.88%); Chega elected one with 4,859 (8.53%).
In 2021, the PSD won 46.68% of the votes (five seats) and the PS 38.26% (four seats). Chega was the third most voted party, with 2.95%, and IL the fourth, with 2.20%.
[Updated at 02:01 AM]
