“This project has been disastrous so far, and we cannot, in any way, accept this,” declared Pedro Duarte at the beginning of a walk along Avenida da Boavista. The event was part of the public petition “For a Green, Humanized, and Sustainable Avenida da Boavista,” of which he is the promoter.
In the petition, Pedro Duarte advocates for the suspension and modification of the second phase of the metrobus project, which he attributes to the Socialist Party. He warned of “irreversible destruction of this area of Avenida da Boavista” as it is known today due to the initiative.
“What we want with this petition is to appeal to decision-makers, in this case, Metro do Porto, to reflect and consider alternatives that ensure public transport mobility but also preserve more than a hundred trees that will be destroyed or removed,” explained Pedro Duarte.
The municipal candidate noted that suspending the second phase of the metrobus, between Pinheiro Manso and Anémona, is a “matter of common sense.” He emphasized that “We cannot accept imposed decisions on the city that do not involve the citizens of Porto.”
“I can categorically assert that if I become the mayor of Porto, such decisions would never be acceptable. Decisions of this nature, which significantly disrupt people’s lives, cannot be made without involving Porto’s residents, and under my leadership, this will not happen,” he assured.
Pedro Duarte dismissed the argument that community funds might be lost by suspending the project: “If we have to lose funds because they were being misapplied and against the will and benefits of the people, I sincerely prefer to lose the funds,” he admitted.
While criticizing Metro do Porto, Duarte highlighted that the metrobus is a socialist project: “This metrobus initiative has a face, and that face is the Socialist Party, who decided to proceed with it in the government.”
“The administration of Metro was appointed by the Socialist government, led by a prominent PS [Socialist Party] figure, Tiago Braga. This indeed is a PS project that we are contesting,” he explained.
However, Duarte emphasized that he would defend Porto’s interests regardless of which party initiated the project: “As a candidate dedicated to Porto, I will not consider party colors in defending what is in Porto’s interests,” he asserted.
The walk attracted about 100 participants, including notable figures like João Almeida, Carlos Abreu Amorim, and Emídio Gomes. Regarding the public petition he promotes, the PSD/CDS candidate expressed satisfaction with the “sign of mobilization.”
“I am pleasantly surprised by the support I’ve received. Between online signatures and written ones, we are nearing four thousand signatures in 48 hours,” he stated.
Thus far, confirmed candidates for the Porto City Hall include Manuel Pizarro from the PS, Pedro Duarte from the PSD, Diana Ferreira from the CDU, Nuno Cardoso from the movement Pensar o Porto, Vitorino Silva, known as Tino de Rans, Aníbal Pinto from Nova Direita, and Sérgio Aires from Bloco de Esquerda.
The current executive is composed of six representatives from Rui Moreira’s independent movement, three from the PS, two from the PSD, one from the CDU, and one from the BE.
