The political party Livre, which formed a coalition with the PS, finishing second in the last municipal elections in Sintra, reacted to a recent agreement between elected president Marco Almeida (PSD/IL/PAN) and Chega, which will see Chega occupy two executive positions in the municipal governance.
In a statement, municipal deputies of Livre and the local coordination of the party in Sintra described the agreement as “a very dangerous approach to the far-right” in the municipality, rejecting “any agreement or political project that includes the far-right at the negotiating table.”
They pledge to be “a firm and constructive opposition to the current executive, especially with this agreement,” in the parishes and the municipal assembly.
“Sintra stands to lose: giving the security portfolio to an elected member from Chega is to try out a sheriff’s politics that we reject; it is empowering the far-right party to further promote hatred and racial and xenophobic discrimination. As for us, they shall not pass,” emphasized Livre in the statement.
Livre/Sintra also stated that “the problem is far from just Chega,” as the councilwoman elected by Iniciativa Liberal (IL), Eunice Baeta, “quickly showed her intent: her husband will lead SMAS [Municipal Water and Sanitation Services], and the liberals are starting their mandate by withdrawing political trust from their councilwoman during the first council meeting.”
The party accused that “the now independent councilwoman turned the coalition between PSD, IL, and PAN into a crutch for the far-right’s access to power,” asserting that they will continue to present “proposals for the future of Sintra” and reject “false equivalencies between democratic parties and anti-democratic parties,” as well as “an executive power that will always be against those who live in Sintra.”
Due to accepting a councilwoman position in Sintra in an executive where Chega holds portfolios, IL leader Mariana Leitão withdrew political trust from Eunice Baeta today, “leaving her mandate to be exercised without representing Iniciativa Liberal.”
In a statement, the IL leader emphasized that the party “has always said that it would never integrate any government with Chega” and reaffirmed “this unyielding position,” adding that “Iniciativa Liberal does not abdicate its principles for any position, nor does it enable or whitewash the political project of the Chega party.”
On Thursday, socialist Ana Mendes Godinho stated that the PSD/IL/PAN coalition leading the Sintra Municipality “opted to make an agreement with Chega” which is under discussion regarding “the appointment of administrators for municipal companies indicated by Chega.”
The “Sempre com os Sintrenses” candidacy, led by Marco Almeida, garnered 33.86% of the votes and four mandates in the October 12 elections, ahead of former minister Ana Mendes Godinho (PS/Livre) with 31.67% and also four elected, followed by Rita Matias from Chega with 23.38% and three mandates.
The executive convened today for the first time at the Town Hall, with the agenda including the delegation of council powers to the president, the setting of five councilors on a permanent basis, and the dismissal of municipality representatives in local companies and inter-municipal entities, along with the designation of new representatives.
In the proposal for the designation of new representatives, which was accessed, Marco Almeida proposed Rui Caetano as president of the Administration of Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (SMAS) and Paulo Gomes and Rui Covas Simões as board members, with councilors Francisco Duarte (PSD) and Anabela Macedo (Chega) for the Association of Cascais, Mafra, Oeiras and Sintra for Solid Waste Treatment (AMTRES).
Councilwoman Andreia Bernardo (PSD) is designated for the Municipal Parking Company of Sintra (EMES) and for the Cultursintra Foundation, alongside Marco Almeida and a representative from PS, while Ricardo Aragão Pinto (Chega) is appointed for A2S — Association for Sustainable Development of the Saloia Region, and Eunice Baeta (IL) for Nanomat — Association for Research and Development in Advanced Materials and Applications.
