“Cascais is an example where many people within the party are becoming indistinguishable from municipal staff, creating discomfort among the existing officials and those performing technical roles without political motivations,” Jonet stated.
Speaking at Parque Marechal Carmona during the official launch of his candidacy, he expressed his intent to “make a difference by attempting to separate the PSD party apparatus from the municipal government.”
“This costs the municipality significantly in redundancies, municipal companies, and the internal workings of the government, which are constantly adjusted to accommodate more personnel,” he pointed out.
Jonet opined that “parties—once bastions of strong ideas and daring leadership—have become machines of internal management.”
“Looking at Cascais, where primary party candidates are county leaders, it’s clear that politics has shifted from being a mirror of civil society to a closed club where positions are given to long-standing insiders,” he criticized, referencing Social Democrat Nuno Piteira Lopes and Socialist João Ruivo.
In this light, Jonet affirmed his commitment to “take a stand,” prioritizing “Cascais,” and opposing “the unchecked development that has been detrimental to the area and its residents.”
Practically speaking, his agenda focuses on ensuring “housing is a right, not a luxury,” restoring dilapidated buildings, and “creating genuine affordable rental programs,” while opposing developments like those in Tires that “put jets before the welfare of thousands of families.”
“We don’t need more complexes for non-resident homeowners. We need solutions for those working here who wish to reside in Cascais,” he argued.
While acknowledging the difficulty of engaging such a large municipality—the fifth largest in the country—he remarked that it presented an opportunity for “a democratic revival,” inviting residents to “participate and believe in politics as a force for community betterment.”
“There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Improvements can happen through political will to operate differently,” Jonet suggested, emphasizing the municipality could offer reduced IRS rates if it weren’t as “bloated,” noting Cascais does not rebate a portion of the State-collected tax.
Clarifying he holds no objection to construction, Jonet asserted it must be “regulated,” arguing that “politicians are elected to serve voters, not investors.” While he sees logic in building near the Carcavelos train station, he criticizes the approval process for the Quinta dos Ingleses project.
From his perspective, serious environmental protection is necessary, condemning the facade that Cascais is “a green municipality while undertaking projects that devastate dunes, fell trees, disrupt waterways and endanger beaches,” as seen with Quinta dos Ingleses.
He challenged local authorities to rethink infrastructure and public transportation, criticizing an electoral preference for “gratuitous services over well-planned network investments,” with free transportation costing 15 million annually, advocating instead for a potentially more efficient system.
João Maria Jonet, aged 27, holds a degree in Political Science and International Relations from the Nova University of Lisbon and has previously worked with politicians such as Carlos Moedas and Jorge Moreira da Silva.
Nuno Galvão Teles serves as the campaign manager, with the Honorary Committee led by former PS minister Eduardo Marçal Grilo, also including former ministers Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues and Fernando Negrão, former councilor Ana Clara Justino, pharmacist João Cordeiro, actress Rita Blanco, actor Miguel Guilherme, and singer Samuel Úria.
The Cascais executive is composed of seven elected members from the Viva Cascais coalition (PSD/CDS-PP), three from the Todos por Cascais coalition (PS/PAN/Livre), and one from Chega.
Current president Carlos Carreiras, having served three terms, is ineligible to run again.
Municipal elections are set for September to October.
