During a rally at Largo da Graça in Lisbon, following a street march from the Mercado de Sapadores with hundreds of attendees, Paulo Raimundo asserted that recently, the vast majority of Lisbon’s residents have recognized João Ferreira as the best candidate for the Lisbon City Council.
“João Ferreira is the most credible, the most prepared, the person best suited to assume the presidency of the Lisbon City Council. With this team, this program, this strength, Lisbon needs, Lisbon deserves, and it would be great for Lisbon to pursue this goal,” stated Paulo Raimundo.
This was the only rally in the CDU’s municipal campaign in Lisbon attended by the PCP’s general secretary. Paulo Raimundo emphasized that “Lisbon needs transformation, and this transformation is only possible with the CDU.”
“There is no possibility of having a municipal policy that serves everyone without the CDU. In fact, only with the CDU is it possible to carry out this policy for everyone, in service of everyone, with objectives for everyone,” he advocated.
Addressing all Lisbon residents, Paulo Raimundo encouraged them to vote on October 12 and, “when you vote, vote for your interests” and for what “the city needs.”
“Vote without pressure, without blackmail, without unfounded appeals. Vote without prejudice. And if you do, Lisbon is in a position to open up, to broaden this transformative path that is imperative today, was imperative yesterday, and will be imperative tomorrow,” he declared.
The PCP’s general secretary stated that “it’s not worth some talking about the impossibility,” arguing that “decisions are not made by newspaper articles, not by polls, not by commentators, analysts,” nor “the bubble.”
“The decision, even in Lisbon, is up to the people, the workers, and the youth with their vote. It’s not acceptable for all these people to face this pressure and blackmail (…) of the lesser or greater evil. We do not need greater or lesser evils. What people need (…) is an alternative,” he said.
Paulo Raimundo reinforced that an alternative is possible and countered that “what is not possible is the trash, the lack of housing, of transport,” the “neglect for the environment, the deals, the disregard for children and the elderly.”
“What is not possible is having hotels sprouting like mushrooms and neighborhoods left unrestored, where there is no such option. What is not possible, and not tolerable, is the illusion, the propaganda, the promises always followed by the same support for the policy that brought Lisbon to its current situation,” he said.
Paulo Raimundo contended that “it would only be missing for Lisbon to face the inevitable continuation of wrong policies,” in a reference to Carlos Moedas’ candidacy, or “to be subject to supporting the accomplices of those wrong choices Lisbon made,” referring to Alexandra Leitão.
“Lisbon needs an alternative. Lisbon: here we are, here is the CDU, here are our candidates, here is João Ferreira to assume all the responsibilities that the people of Lisbon decide to entrust to the CDU,” he stated.
Candidates for the presidency of the Lisbon City Council include Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), João Ferreira (CDU-PCP/PEV), Bruno Mascarenhas (Chega), Ossanda Líber (Nova Direita), José Almeida (Volt), Adelaide Ferreira (ADN), Tomaz Ponce Dentinho (PPM/PTP), and Luís Mendes (RIR).
Currently, the municipal executive comprises seven elected members of the “New Times” coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Alliance), seven elected from the “More Lisbon” coalition (PS/Livre), two from the CDU, and one from the BE.
