“A video was published today showing an act of vandalism against a support of our candidacy at the Union of Parishes of Marrazes and Barosa, shared by the perpetrator on social media, accompanied by an audio recording that we omit due to its offensive and defamatory nature“, stated Gonçalo Lopes in a Facebook post. Lopes is running for re-election as the president of the Leiria City Council in the municipal elections on October 12.
Gonçalo Lopes, who is the current president of the Leiria City Council, indicated that “the perpetrator has been identified and will be reported to the authorities,” stressing that “this behavior is particularly serious in an electoral process as it undermines the respect and freedom that are the foundation of democracy.”
“None of this takes away our energy or motivation — on the contrary, it gives us even more strength to continue working, with respect for everyone, for the future of our municipality,” added the socialist, assuring that “such acts will always be reported.”
In the video, which is nearly a minute and a half long, a man can be heard expressing insults towards Gonçalo Lopes and Paulo Clemente, who is running again for the Union of Parishes of Marrazes and Barosa. The poster, featuring images of both candidates, is cut and torn using a knife.
Paulo Clemente told Lusa he has filed a complaint at the Marrazes police station of the Public Security Police against the vandalism suspect.
“It’s unfortunate that these things happen. We live in a state governed by the rule of law, and people should respect its laws and its representatives,” stated Paulo Clemente, president of the union of parishes.
