The PSD, Iniciativa Liberal, and PAN have chosen to make an agreement with Chega for the executive, stated Ana Mendes Godinho. The PS was fully available to talk and negotiate, but they opted for Chega, she added.
The socialist councilor, who lost the recent local elections to Marco Almeida by 3,560 votes, admitted that the socialists’ condition was that the dialogue be only with PS. However, the PSD/IL/PAN coalition chose to make the agreement with Chega.
“Therefore, they made their decision, and it’s disappointing for all of us. It’s acknowledged. Moreover, tomorrow in the executive’s meeting, the appointment of administrators for municipal companies, nominated by Chega, is on the agenda,” she added.
The Sempre com os Sintrenses candidacy, led by Marco Almeida, secured 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 four elected, followed by Rita Matias, of Chega, with 23.38% and three mandates.
In addition to Ana Mendes Godinho, the PS elected Bruno Parreira, Filomena Pereira, and Eduardo Quinta Nova.
“Our condition was for dialogue and negotiations within the center-democratic parties. On the other side, they told us they weren’t available for that, wanting Chega included, hence choosing Chega,” explained Ana Mendes Godinho.
For the socialist official, from the moment negotiations broke beyond bilateral terms, there were no further discussions, as “the PSD, by insisting on a tripartite negotiation, implicitly excluded PS.”
“It was a choice that the PSD announced before the elections. Hence, they initially opted to proceed only with Chega,” pointed out Ana Mendes Godinho, noting that in the municipal assembly, they made an agreement with Chega and formed a joint list for the board.
Former municipality president Fernando Seara won the municipal assembly elections for the PSD/IL/PAN coalition, ahead of socialist João Soares (PS/Livre), and after taking office on Saturday, he presented for approval a list that included a Chega member in a board position.
“Let me reiterate, we were never offered anything directly involving only PS. Before even meeting with us, they met with Chega, consistently choosing to exclude us,” stated Ana Mendes Godinho, affirming that PS will engage in “a very constructive opposition, proudly representing those who voted for us.”
A source close to the municipality’s president, when queried, responded tersely: “Marco Almeida believes in serving the people of Sintra through work and competence, not through public squabbles over positions or protagonism.”
The executive convenes for the first time on Friday at Paços do Concelho, with the agenda including delegating council powers to the president, appointing five councilors in permanent positions, exonerating municipality representatives in local companies and intermunicipal entities, and appointing new representatives.
In the proposal for new appointments viewed, Marco Almeida proposes Rui Caetano for president of the Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (SMAS) and Paulo Gomes and Rui Covas Simões as board members, and councilors Francisco Duarte (PSD) and Anabela Macedo (Chega) for the Association of Cascais, Mafra, Oeiras and Sintra for Waste Treatment (AMTRES).
Councilor Andreia Bernardo (PSD) is designated for the Sintra Municipal Parking Company (EMES) and Cultursintra Foundation, alongside Marco Almeida and a PS representative, while Ricardo Aragão Pinto (Chega) is designated for A2S – Saloia Region Sustainable Development Association, and Eunice Baeta (IL) for Nanomat – Association for Advanced Materials and Applications Research and Development.
In the 15 parishes of the municipality, PSD/IL/PAN won in nine, whereas PS and Livre won in six.
The PSD/IL/PAN coalition established agreements with PS/Livre in 10 parish assemblies and executives, based on the results, and with Chega in one (Almargem do Bispo), assuming leadership in both bodies in three, negotiating with other forces if necessary.
