“Once again, the Socialist Party, having no theme, clings as a lifeline to what is a tragedy. I think this should not exist in politics today. I don’t do politics like that, never have. I have always done politics with parties, but above parties, with people. I cannot understand how a democratic party in our democracy uses a tragedy as a lifeline for elections,” stated Carlos Moedas, a social democrat.
The current Mayor of Lisbon and candidate for re-election in the municipal elections on the 12th, spoke to journalists during a campaign event at the Galinheiras Fair, which was also attended by Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN) without them meeting.
When asked what he would say if he crossed paths with Alexandra Leitão, after the socialist accused him on Saturday of lying about the Glória elevator accident and not having the “posture” or “level needed” for the role of mayor, Carlos Moedas began by saying that he would always greet his main rival in these elections well and pointed out the political differences.
The exchange of accusations continued, with the PSD/CDS-PP/IL candidate again accusing the PS/Livre/BE/PAN candidate of using the tragedy “politically or party-wise,” considering it “very ugly” and “serious,” and that “parties should not do so out of respect for all the victims.”
The derailment of the Glória elevator, managed by the municipal company Carris, occurred on September 3rd and resulted in 16 deaths and two dozen injuries, among Portuguese and foreigners of various nationalities.
An RTP report, aired on Friday – marking one month since the Glória elevator tragedy – featured testimonies from relatives of the deceased and survivors of the accident, claiming they were never contacted by the Lisbon City Council or Carris.
Regarding the complaints from victims and families about the lack of contact, Carlos Moedas emphasized that “this is not true” and reiterated that “everyone was contacted,” refusing to discuss individual cases.
“Out of respect and privacy, I will not recount all the contacts here. In fact, one of these individuals even had a son come from Cape Verde, […] we paid for the trip so that this person could have their son here, so all this is done, but I don’t think I should speak about this publicly,” he stated.
Dismissing the “politicization” of the tragedy, the PSD mayor declared: “I am above that, but one thing I can tell you: The City Council did not fail and will not fail, that I am sure of.”
The social democrat emphasized that the socialist Alexandra Leitão “is obviously politicizing the case,” reiterating that as Mayor of Lisbon, he was present in the response to the accident “from the first minute,” including contact with the victims and families, indicating that “even amidst the campaign” he continues to provide that support.
“People know they have this availability from the Mayor, the Mayor’s team, Carris, because we are truly open and solving the problems.”
In response to the testimonies reported in the RTP feature about the lack of contact, Carlos Moedas answered that “those steps were always taken,” emphasizing that the City Council and Carris “have always been in contact with everyone.”
“We know the cases. I was at all the funerals, I participated in every possible act, I was always with the people and beside the people, all of them, […] but I will not go into individual cases out of respect for the people, out of respect for what is such a great tragedy for Lisbon,” he declared.
