During a meeting, the Mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte, expressed that regardless of past reasons for the city’s exit from this organization, it no longer justifies being out.
“The proposal still requires approval by the Municipal Assembly, but I believe that today we have sent a very clear political signal that we want to be an active part collaborating with other municipalities to strengthen local power. The ANMP allows us to have a unified voice, which I think is important as it defends all municipalities, and by doing so, defends Porto as well,” he stated.
Opposition councilor Manuel Pizarro (PS) recalled that in 2022, the Socialist Party council had opposed the exit and commended Mayor Pedro Duarte for what he described as a ‘moment of forgiveness’ by PSD mayors of Porto, who had previously approved the proposal to withdraw brought to the Municipal Assembly at the time.
“We think the exit made no sense, and it is natural for Porto to be part of the ANMP, making its voice heard in disagreement and contributing to shaping the direction. A Porto that stands alone from ANMP is not one we support,” declared the Socialist councilor.
Miguel Corte-Real, elected by Chega, also reflected on the motivations behind the municipality’s departure, a decision he supported in 2022 while a member of the Municipal Assembly for the PSD.
“So far, no changes have occurred to make us believe the ANMP will again represent Porto,” he stated, justifying his abstention.
On April 19, 2022, the city council approved the exit from ANMP due to the process of decentralizing responsibilities, with support from independent movement council members of Rui Moreira, the abstention of PSD councilor Alberto Machado, and votes against from PS, BE, CDU, and social democrat Vladimiro Feliz.
In the Municipal Assembly, PSD deputies voted for the departure alongside Rui Moreira’s elected officials and Chega, while the remaining political forces voted against.
