“Unfortunately, these 12 years have been years where Gaia has ceased to compete among the most thriving and developed cities in the country. The people of Gaia deserve social and economic development. They know that during my terms, the city’s icons, beaches, and historical center developed, and we took care of the most disadvantaged,” stated Luís Filipe Menezes.
The candidate of the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition, who led the municipality for 16 years, followed by 12 years of PS leadership, urged the people of Gaia to vote for him to “return to the future,” emphasizing their awareness of their city’s strength due to its population rank as the third-largest city in the country and the largest in northern Portugal.
“Just yesterday, I was asked if the neighborhood I was visiting was built by the current administration, and I mentioned that I would like to visit a neighborhood built by them, but the 30 neighborhoods in Gaia were all constructed during my time. I find that very emblematic,” he noted.
When queried about his assessment of the last three administrations, Menezes was blunt: “I believe what was done is a palette of defendants,” he said.
The candidate allocated his morning to visit the Carvalhos fair and the Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Vila Nova de Gaia. He emphasized, “Now we need to think about the middle class and young people who need access to housing.”
“Housing is one of the country’s biggest shortages, especially pronounced in Gaia. We need to resolve the almost shameful and chaotic public transport situation in Gaia, which troubles the entire population,” he added.
Addressing social support, the social democrat praised the quality of many Private Institutions of Social Solidarity (IPSS) in the Porto district council, “such as the ancient Misericórdia de Gaia, which has been delivering a great service to the people for decades,” but he wants more.
“There is still a significant lack of resources for the elderly because, fortunately, we live longer, creating a need for more differentiated and increasingly expensive and challenging care,” he commented, stressing the need for daycare centers in the council.
“We cannot declare a desire for happy young people to settle in Gaia and have more children unless we provide them with essential support and conditions as they start their journey in life,” he summarized.
Returning to his evaluation of the socialist leadership, the PSD/CDS-PP/IL candidate remarked, “There are many things to do and many corrections to make.”
“There has been enormous neglect over the last 12 years. Anyone walking along the beaches, neighborhoods, and streets will notice the significant abandonment throughout this period,” he concluded.
The race for the Vila Nova de Gaia City Hall includes candidates André Araújo (CDU – PCP/PEV coalition), João Paulo Correia (PS), Luís Filipe Menezes (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), Daniel Gaio (Volt), João Martins (BE/Livre), Rui Sequeira (ADN), António Barbosa (Chega), and Catarina Costa (Social Liberal Party).
The municipal executive comprises 11 elected members, with the PS holding nine seats and the PSD two.
The local elections will take place on Sunday.
