Francisco Amaral, a 69-year-old physician, announced his resignation on Monday, citing fatigue from public office after serving 20 years as the mayor of Alcoutim and 12 in the neighboring municipality of Castro Marim in the Faro district.
Amaral, who was elected in 2013 by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) as the president of the Castro Marim municipality, steps down months before completing his third and final term due to term limit laws.
“Even if I could run again, I wouldn’t, because I’m 69 and I want to rest and have more time for my family, to tend to my garden, and go fishing, one of my favorite hobbies,” he stated.
The outgoing mayor expressed his wish to rest from his “absorbing and rewarding mission in service of the populations” and to dedicate more time to watch his seven-year-old grandson grow.
“I want to be part of his growth, unlike what happened with my other grandson, who is 20 years old now,” he emphasized.
Amaral plans to “withdraw from political life but continue practicing Medicine,” a calling he embraced to support those in need.
“I will continue visits to Faro Hospital and collaborate with underprivileged communities in both Castro Marim and Alcoutim,” he noted.
Since 1999, Francisco Amaral has been a voluntary general and family medicine practitioner at the Local Health Unit of Algarve, providing at-home medical care in the border regions with Spain.
Following his resignation, deputy mayor Filomena Sintra will take over the presidency of the Castro Marim municipality.
In Amaral’s view, the position “is in good hands with someone who has already demonstrated competence and will undoubtedly continue working for the people and the development of Castro Marim.”
“I am confident that Filomena Sintra, councilor João Pereira, and the entire team that worked with me will continue efforts to improve people’s lives,” he concluded.
