“The aim of the candidacy and the proposals we will present, which we believe are better, are aligned with the current needs of the people in Cascais,” stated João Ruivo.
Highlighting a primary concern, which he acknowledges affects the entire country and not just Cascais, João Ruivo emphasized the issue of housing. He lamented the absence of a controlled-cost housing program for young people, a measure which would prevent the “children of Cascais” from being forced to live in neighboring municipalities due to the unaffordable rental prices.
Another significant issue for João Ruivo is the commuting time residents face daily, both in cars and on public transport, to reach their workplaces. Although Cascais does not suffer from unemployment, jobs are not located within the municipality.
According to the candidate, it is unreasonable for qualified professionals to endure lengthy commutes daily to reach their jobs. Thus, he advocates for attracting qualified employment to Cascais.
“Cascais cannot be merely a dormitory for Lisbon, a place where people only come to sleep; it must be a self-sufficient municipality, vibrant with businesses, tourism, leisure, and a high quality of life. We must reduce the hours people spend commuting daily,” he stressed.
João Ruivo pointed out that the municipality in the Lisbon district possesses all the elements necessary to create and sustain diverse types of employment, complementing the existing jobs and reducing the need for people to commute to Sintra, Lisbon, or Oeiras, which turns the A5 highway into an untenable route.
The candidacy of 48-year-old João Ruivo for the Cascais City Council was approved last night, concluding the nomination process involving the Lisbon Urban Area Federation and the National Directorate of the PS.
João Ruivo has been the president of the Cascais branch of the Socialist Party since July 2024. He was elected to the Cascais Municipal Assembly in 2021, serving as the spokesperson for the PS Municipal Group.
In 2017, he was elected as a councilor without a portfolio in Cascais. From 2001 to 2005, he served as a member of the Cascais Parish Assembly and was elected to the Alcabideche Parish Assembly in 2005, holding the position for three terms.
João Ruivo holds a degree in Local Government Management from the Institute of Education and Sciences and works as a manager in the retail and consumer goods distribution sector.
The Cascais executive body consists of seven elected members (including the president) from the “Viva Cascais” coalition (PSD/CDS-PP), three from the “All for Cascais” coalition (PS/PAN/Livre), and one from Chega.
To date, the only officially announced candidacy for the presidency of the Cascais City Council is from the current vice-president, Nuno Piteira Lopes, representing the PSD.
Local elections are scheduled to take place between September and October next year.
