“I think the street experience and direct contact is very positive. In fact, I have told some institutions that I will establish one day a week in my presidency where I will not go to the Town Hall. I will always be on the street, which is fundamental to not lose this direct contact,” revealed the lead candidate of the coalition O Porto Somos Nós during a campaign event.
Today, the campaign of the coalition comprising PSD, CDS-PP, and IL started with a walk along Rua Damião de Góis, in the Historical Center, accompanied by the candidate for that União de Freguesias, João Pedro Videira.
The choice of lunchtime meant that people were not available to spend much time talking, but in the cafes and restaurants where the lead candidate entered, good luck wishes emerged.
“The city of Porto has this peculiarity: it has fewer people on the streets than in other times. I feel a big difference compared to campaigns of other times. It is difficult to catch people on the street, and many times we catch people in transitional movements who do not live in the city but are here because they come to the doctor, for a consultation, because they work here,” the candidate shared with journalists.
Pedro Duarte expressed his preference for being on the streets and stated that since May, he has managed to “cover the entire city,” but regretted not having more time to visit institutions, citing the “many debates” still ahead.
“You’re doing an excellent job,” praised a real estate agent in the Historical Center.
At a small kiosk at the intersection with Rua do Monte Pedral, the former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs asked how business was going and took the opportunity to leave a pamphlet with his proposals among the magazines for sale.
But as soon as the team accompanying him stepped away, the pamphlet was crumpled and discarded.
Further along, two ladies showed some resistance to accepting the pamphlets with Pedro Duarte’s name and his candidate for the parish council until one of them, Julieta, relented and took the paper: “I will vote for you,” she assured.
The elderly woman who accompanied the campaign action could not name the candidate or the party he represents when speaking to journalists. But once provided context, she recalled that she had voted AD (in the legislative elections) and made a request: “Tell him that if he belongs to Montenegro, he also belongs to me.”
The current executive of the Porto City Council consists of a majority of six elected members from Rui Moreira’s movement and one independent councilor, with the remaining positions held by two members from PS, two from PSD, one from CDU, and one from BE.
The candidates running for the leadership of the municipality include Manuel Pizarro (PS), Diana Ferreira (CDU – coalition PCP/PEV), Nuno Cardoso (Porto Primeiro – coalition NC/PPM), Pedro Duarte (coalition PSD/CDS-PP/IL), Sérgio Aires (BE), current vice-president Filipe Araújo (Fazer à Porto – independent), Guilherme Alexandre Jorge (Volt), Hélder Sousa (Livre), Miguel Corte-Real (Chega), Frederico Duarte Carvalho (ADN), Maria Amélia Costa (PTP), and Luís Tinoco Azevedo (PLS).
Municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
