“I am not here to do any party a favor, I am not here for political career reasons. I am here to serve the people of Sintra, that’s how it has always been, that’s where I have always wanted to be, and that’s where I will continue to be,” said Marco Almeida.
The former vice-president of the council made this statement during the launch of the electoral campaign at the Algueirão-Mem Martins Day Center, accompanied by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and the candidate for the Municipal Assembly, Fernando Seara.
When asked about his potential governance partners in the Lisbon district council, Marco Almeida stated he would wait for the “outcome the people of Sintra” grant him in the October 12 elections to “then evaluate” whether to work alone or “with other political forces.”
“Everything is open at this point,” he emphasized, recalling his “experience in municipal executives with a minority,” where governance was possible, as well as in “municipal executives” with a majority, where he challenged “other political forces to join the executive.”
Marco Almeida acknowledged that there is “a lot of work ahead,” but he declared himself “enthusiastic about the mobilization” he encounters “on the streets and from candidates in the parishes” to “win these elections” for the people of Sintra.
“When my candidacy was decided with the support of the PSD, there were various demands I made concerning government support for about 400,000 residents of Sintra who live and work here and who need the government’s effort quickly,” he admitted regarding the support from Luís Montenegro.
The Prime Minister confirmed support for an executive led by Marco Almeida, emphasizing mobility and security issues as “areas where the government has an important and strategic decision.”
“And the council is here to get involved and also to fund the construction of facilities and to strengthen personnel in these services, which include education, health, and security forces,” he added, highlighting that the family also plays a priority role.
“The family is a priority for us. We want to invest heavily in the council’s capabilities to solve concrete people’s problems related to families, children, parents, grandparents, and therefore, we have robust financial programs to quickly build various facilities like daycare centers and nursing homes,” he indicated.
During the visit to the nursing home, Luís Montenegro greeted the staff and elderly residents, explaining that he was there with “the next council president, Marco Almeida,” while listening to complaints from residents about low pensions, asserting that they were now “higher” than before and promising further increases soon.
Regarding an elderly woman’s complaint about her and her husband’s low pension, he suggested that something was wrong and advised contacting Social Security.
Upon departure, Marco Almeida expressed regret that “350 million euros are deposited in municipal bank accounts, derived from taxes paid by the people of Sintra over 12 years.”
“The commitment of the candidacy is to return these funds in the form of investment in public spaces and, above all, in upgrading the quality of life of our families, children, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren. We will return money to social solidarity institutions so that they can fulfill and offer Sintra residents places in daycare centers and nursing homes,” he promised.
Candidates for the Sintra Council include Ana Mendes Godinho (PS/Livre), Marco Almeida (PSD/IL/PAN), Pedro Ventura (CDU, a coalition of PCP/PEV), Maurício Rodrigues (CDS-PP/PPM/ADN), Rita Matias (Chega), Tânia Russo (BE), and Júlio Gourgel Ferreira (ND).
Currently, the executive, led by Basílio Horta, who has completed three terms and cannot run again, consists of five councilors from PS, three from PSD, one from CDS-PP, one from CDU, and one independent (former Chega).
