“We need to win Lisbon, because we can really do much more than we have done so far, as we were in the minority,” declared Carlos Moedas, the current president of the City Government. He is running for a second term without an absolute majority.
The leading candidate for the “Por ti, Lisboa” coalition, which includes PSD, CDS-PP, and IL, spoke at the official campaign launch rally for the municipal elections, which began an hour late at the Lisbon Congress Center. The auditorium was filled with hundreds of supporters, though not completely occupied.
Carlos Moedas entered the auditorium with Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid. They were welcomed with applause and flags representing the “Por ti, Lisboa” campaign, with Patti Smith’s “People Have the Power” playing. On stage, there was a live musical performance by Jéssica Pina, who sang and played the trumpet.
The first speech was by the president of the Community of Madrid, who expressed her enthusiasm and stated that two things unite her and Carlos Moedas: “the defense of freedom and doing things well.” She also emphasized the desire to innovate and the love for excellence, reinforcing that “it is possible to govern with principles, efficiency, and rigor.”
Isabel Díaz Ayuso recalled the accident with the Glória elevator, expressing that Madrid shares Lisbon’s pain. She highlighted the collaborative work between the Portuguese capital and Madrid, with “many agreements” in sectors such as energy, culture, environment, and economy.
The Madrid official criticized populism and left-wing politicians who “like to have everything controlled,” advocating that in Lisbon, “it’s about choosing either socialism or freedom.” She expressed that “With Carlos Moedas, Lisbon will continue to shine, and with Lisbon and Madrid united, there will be no challenge we cannot overcome together.”
Carlos Moedas highlighted that in the municipal elections on October 12, the choice is between “socialism that has allied with a far-left radical group,” referring to BE, or “those with proven results, who do, who know how to do” and with “an enormous, unstoppable desire to change people’s lives.”
The social-democrat criticized PS’s 14-year governance from 2007 to 2021, arguing that the socialists are “the masters of what wasn’t done,” referencing a recent journalistic article about assuming responsibility for executing 112 city projects initiated by previous administrations.
“They accuse us of doing because they still think they own everything […]. What they didn’t do is considered done just because they left a little note,” he criticized, expressing “great pride” in the completed projects, “because this work belongs to the people of Lisbon,” and emphasizing that he invested “an additional 456 million euros” compared to the previous term.
Referring to the PS/Livre/BE/PAN candidacy, led by socialist Alexandra Leitão, the social-democrat stated that “this bloc’s program is very simple: more taxes, more waste, fewer homes, more squatters, less health.”
“The PS candidate allied with a party that supports illegal home occupations. Where is the law? PS now allies with parties that do not respect the law?” he questioned, accusing the socialists of being responsible for issues with waste management, housing, and security.
“On October 12, we cannot fail the people of Lisbon. They want moderation or radicalism, growth or regression. I trust in the determination of the people of Lisbon,” he concluded.
After his speech, supporters chanted as confetti fell: “We only want Moedas as president.”
Candidates running for Lisbon City Hall in the upcoming municipal elections include Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), João Ferreira (CDU-PCP/PEV), Bruno Mascarenhas (Chega), Ossanda Líber (New Right), José Almeida (Volt), Adelaide Ferreira (ADN), Tomaz Ponce Dentinho (PPM/PTP), and Luís Mendes (RIR).
