Diverging from the PSD/CDS-PP government’s decision to abolish the concept of affordable rent and introduce moderate rent with values ranging from 400 to 2,300 euros, the mayor of Lisbon stated, in response to journalists, that in Lisbon, the limits set by the Municipal Subsidy for Affordable Rent (SMAA), which provides support for rents up to 1,550 euros, “will not change.”
Under SMAA rules, in which the Lisbon City Council supports tenants in private housing markets with an effort rate equal to or greater than 30%, the contracted monthly rent cannot exceed 600 euros for a studio, 900 euros for a one-bedroom, 1,150 euros for a two-bedroom, 1,375 euros for a three-bedroom, and 1,550 euros for a four-bedroom.
“Carlos Moedas’ affordable rent is simple: it’s 1/3 of the salary. Someone earning 1,000 euros cannot pay more than 300 euros, which is 1/3 of their income,” he stated, rejecting the idea of subsidizing rents up to 2,300 euros/month.
The PSD mayor also highlighted the municipal housing offer with affordable rent and subsidized rent for low-income families, where they pay five euros, 10 euros, 15 euros, or 20 euros.
Alongside former PSD president Manuela Ferreira Leite, who also supported him in the 2021 campaign, the incumbent candidate for the Lisbon City Council presidency, representing the “For You, Lisbon” coalition (PSD, CDS-PP, and IL), walked through the streets of Telheiras, urging people to vote without explicitly asking for an absolute majority, emphasizing that “whoever has one more vote is the mayor.”
Currently, Carlos Moedas governs in a minority, with seven of the 17 executive members.
Also accompanied by the incumbent candidate for the Lumiar Parish Council presidency, Ricardo Mexia, and the top candidate for the Municipal Assembly, Margarida Mano, Carlos Moedas entered various Telheiras establishments, distributing pens and cloth bags.
In a butcher shop, while meat was being cut, he listened to concerns from residents, this time regarding potholes.
“Just pass by to see the state of that square, that square with huge potholes and the ground is not repaired. Then there are some little trees that might fall any day,” recounted a resident.
In response, the mayor committed to inspecting the site: “You know I’m not just here campaigning; I’m also here as the mayor, so I’m used to hearing complaints.”
After receiving words of “strength” and “good luck,” the incumbent candidate for the Lisbon City Council presidency reinforced to journalists that the choice in Sunday’s local elections is between his project, initiated four years ago, characterized by “moderation,” and Alexandra Leitão’s candidacy (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), which he described as “chaos,” “regression,” and “radicalism,” with “only one goal: to overthrow the mayor.”
While avoiding turning Palestine into a campaign topic, the social-democrat criticized the way pro-Palestinian supporters manifested, including vandalism of public heritage at the MUDE museum and in the squares of Restauradores and Rossio, as well as the besieging of Lisbon City Council candidates after a democratic debate and the invasion of a train station.
“This cannot happen in Lisbon; this is not right, and we cannot allow it, regardless of the cause. There must be law and order in the city,” he emphasized, revealing that in recent days, the city council cleaned “more than 35 graffiti, which cost thousands of euros to remove.”
Besides Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), the candidates for the Lisbon City Council in the upcoming local elections are Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), João Ferreira (CDU-PCP/PEV), Bruno Mascarenhas (Chega), Ossanda Líber (Nova Direita), José Almeida (Volt), Adelaide Ferreira (ADN), Tomaz Ponce Dentinho (PPM/PTP), and Luís Mendes (RIR).
