“We must approach this calmly. Those who want to do this positively will have our full political solidarity. But if they come with political tactics, I will fight strongly on the street, where I am comfortable, alongside the people,” stated João Azevedo in an interview.
In Sunday’s municipal elections, the PS won the Viseu City Council with 799 more votes than the PSD. The socialists secured 42.28% of the electorate (24,095 votes) and four positions.
The opposition PSD, also with four positions, achieved 40.88% (23,296 votes), while Chega secured one position with 8.53% (4,859 votes) out of 56,989 voters from a total of 92,583 registered.
On Monday, Chega’s elected candidate, Bernardo Pessanha, stated that he rejects coalitions, will not approve socialist measures, and will only support what benefits the people of Viseu. He also indicated he would request an audit of the accounts.
Today, João Azevedo noted that Chega could act as it sees fit regarding municipal accounts, but the new executive has no such intention.
“We respect the City Hall services and the legacy we received. The accounts are public. The Viseu City Council has financial stability and is balanced,” he stated.
Regarding measures to be approved, João Azevedo questioned if “opposition councilors would oppose investments in business areas for job creation” or “the free public transportation initiative.”
“They will have to explain their votes, with all democratic respect,” emphasized João Azevedo, adding that “people are sovereign and know whom to trust.”
He stressed: “There are no agreements. The only thing we will have are conversations and absolute tolerance. The agreement is to take good care of the territory and make this city and municipality a leader in the Central region.”
Upon assuming office, one of his executive’s priorities will be to meet with the Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP) and the Business Association of the Viseu Region (AIRV) to make the district capital “a land of opportunities.”
João Azevedo expressed his intent to “quickly initiate the planning of the rehabilitation of business location areas, alongside the revision of the PDM (Municipal Master Plan).”
“It seems very stalled, and we need to quickly unlock and react, to provide answers to entities that have contacted us in recent hours,” aiming to establish in the municipality.
According to João Azevedo, “people were tired of not getting responses,” due to a “model with a significant barrier that did not respond to those wanting to invest.”
“There was a permanent obstruction, an incapacity. They normalized minimal services. It can’t go on like this,” he insisted.
Regarding public transportation, João Azevedo plans for the Viseu Urban Mobility (MUV) system to have “more routes, better schedules, and be free.”
In this context, he will review the existing contract with the MUV’s operating company “concerning routes and improving schedules,” and structure the next municipal budget to make public transportation free.
