“We suspect it will become clear that, contrary to what we asked of the Prime Minister in a letter I wrote to him in August, what the Government and the PSD really want is to implement tolls on the VCI [Via de Cintura Interna], as mentioned by the PSD candidate for Porto, instead of eliminating the tolls on the CREP [Circular Regional Exterior do Porto] to alleviate the VCI, a measure that is completely consensual in Porto,” stated Manuel Pizarro today to journalists.
Speaking at a pastry shop in Foz, where he had breakfast with his team, Pizarro was questioned about Pedro Duarte’s suggestion that the tolls he proposes are for heavy vehicles, recommending that “perhaps it is better to listen to everything the PSD candidate – the government delegate – has already said about it.”
“In July, he mentioned tolls for everyone. Then the protests were so significant that he now explains they are tolls for heavy vehicles. With us, it’s already clear: we want the government to eliminate tolls on the CREP, we demand that the government remove the tolls for driving around Porto,” he asserted.
The PS candidate recalled that, with the presentation of the State Budget for 2026 (OE2026) on Thursday, “the Prime Minister comes [today] to Porto once again to give a push to the government candidate for Porto’s Municipal Council,” questioning “where in the State Budget is the measure that will allow the removal of tolls on the CREP,” also known as the A41 motorway.
“We don’t want any tolls on any VCI. It’s an absurdity that will only complicate the life of those driving in Porto,” he stressed.
Regarding immigration, a topic his opponent from the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition has accused Manuel Pizarro of not addressing, the PS candidate does not consider it a central theme in the Porto Municipal Council elections.
“We are, of course, in favor of regulated immigration, proper integration of those who come to us. Addressing this issue in Porto as a priority shows that the PSD candidate knows nothing about what is happening in Porto. This topic is not a priority in Porto,” he said.
The PS lead candidate noted that his campaign embodies “a spirit of change, with independent candidates, young people, individuals linked to academia, companies, and institutions in Porto,” and “a realistic and ambitious program at the same time.”
“On the other side, I only see irrelevant talk for Porto and an attempt to sow division among the people of Porto when we should, on the contrary, motivate the unity of the people of Porto,” highlighting “the difference between the candidacies,” he stressed.
For Manuel Pizarro, “on one side there is a candidate with both feet in Porto, always dedicated to Porto, who loves his city,” and on the other “a government delegate attempting to take over Porto.”
Candidates for the Porto Municipal Council include Manuel Pizarro (PS), Diana Ferreira (CDU – PCP/PEV coalition), Nuno Cardoso (Porto Primeiro – NC/PPM coalition), Pedro Duarte (PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition), 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).
The current executive comprises a majority of six elected members from Rui Moreira’s movement and an independent councilor, with the remaining two elected from PS, two from PSD, one from CDU, and one from BE.
The municipal elections are scheduled for Sunday.
