“There was only one condition, and that condition arises from what was the agreement signed by all the socialist candidates with the secretary-general,” stated João Ruivo in Coimbra. “The Socialist Party does not participate in any executive body where Chega is also present. This condition was accepted, and therefore, we reached an agreement,” he told Lusa.
The mayor agreed to take on responsibilities alongside Alexandra Domingos in the executive led by Nuno Piteira Lopes, elected by the Viva Cascais coalition (PSD/CDS-PP), which won the municipal elections on October 12 without an absolute majority, securing five seats, followed by PS, independent João Maria Jonet, and Chega, each with two seats.
“Chega can even accept portfolios, but at that moment, the PS will leave. With PS in the executive with portfolios, Chega will not be present,” reiterated João Ruivo.
The municipality’s president, following the election results, intended to engage with all other elected representatives to work for the benefit of the municipality and admitted the possibility of an understanding with PS and Chega, after Jonet ruled out this possibility “given the significant divergences” with Viva Cascais.
“Yesterday [Thursday], the possibility for the executive to have up to nine full-time councilors was approved; currently, we have five councilors from the Viva Cascais coalition and two councilors from the Socialist Party, who are already aligned for the greater good, which is working for Cascais,” emphasized Piteira Lopes, speaking to Lusa.
The social democrat added that there is still “the possibility to allocate two more full-time positions,” and in this sense, he remains “open and available to continue dialogue with everyone,” as he always stated, “with or without an absolute majority,” he wants “to work with everyone” who “can contribute while maintaining their independence,” “integrity,” and “discipline, but continue to work” together to always defend Cascais.
The conversations with PS, he continued, “stemmed from a completely transparent base, absolutely clear, with complete trust and integrity between the interests of the Viva Cascais coalition and those of the Socialist Party.”
João Ruivo considered it “would be irresponsible” if Piteira Lopes did not speak with the two elected from Chega but emphasized that PS accepted portfolios “to be a guarantee of stability.”
“We are here to be a guarantee that people come first, that Cascais comes first,” he argued, noting that commitment to the municipality’s economic and social entities is only possible “if there is governmental stability” that allows “changes in some policies in favor of the people.”
However, they do not accept “Chega being part of an executive team” in which they are present, as it is “a national commitment of the Socialist Party,” which was “signed even before the elections.”
“In the agreement, no party is capitulating to another. Our agreement is to provide stability in what are the main management tools, and all parties remain free to vote in favor or against all other proposals that come to the chamber meeting,” he stressed.
In a dispatch from Thursday, today released, Nuno Piteira Lopes assumes responsibility for, among others, Municipal Police, Civil Protection, Security, Legal Affairs, Communication and Protocol, Financial and Asset Management, Strategic Planning, Tourism and Higher Education.
Vice-President Luís Capão is responsible for Culture, Environment and Sustainability, Climate Change, Citizenship, and Mobility, Ana Coimbra for Urban Licensing, Urban Rehabilitation, and Works, António Morais Soares for Social Development, Health, Gender Equality, and Youth, and Frederico Nunes for Municipal Supervision, Human Resources, Housing, Associationism, and Municipal Veterinary.
Socialist João Ruivo is in charge of Economic Development and Promotion and Licensing of Economic Activities, while Alexandra Domingos handles Resource Acquisition, Co-opted Projects and Community Funds, Employment, and Smart Cities Strategy.
