“This is a clear attack on pluralism and the democratic functioning of the municipal body. It is a democratic setback for Lisbon,” stated PS councilor Alexandra Leitão, considering a potential challenge to the new procedural rules Carlos Moedas aims to implement.
Alternatively, Chega councilor Bruno Mascarenhas described the procedural proposal as “restrictive in relation to the opposition,” particularly concerning speaking times and the ability to present initiatives, prompting him to suggest numerous amendments to the document.
The proposal to approve the Lisbon City Council’s procedural rules, which outline the functioning of the municipality’s executive body, is slated for discussion Wednesday in a private executive meeting. This follows the approval of the delegation of council powers to the mayor on Monday, with PSD, CDS-PP, IL, and Chega voting in favor, and PS, Livre, BE, and PCP voting against.
According to PS councilor Alexandra Leitão, the procedural proposal includes “absolutely unprecedented measures,” all indicating “an excessive concentration of power in the mayor and the removal of fundamental powers from opposition councilors.”
Under this proposal, the opposition loses the right to schedule proposals entirely, leaving it solely to the mayor to decide the discussion agenda. It reduces councilors’ speaking time, sets limits on the number of amendments that can be presented to the mayor’s initiatives, and restricts the pre-agenda period (PAOD) in terms of time and topic, according to PS.
Chega councilor Bruno Mascarenhas expressed disagreement with “a significant portion” of the procedural proposal but supports changes like reducing PAOD time from 90 to 60 minutes, believing “an hour to discuss the PAOD is sufficient.”
“Naturally, we will ensure that the opposition’s speaking time and discussion opportunities are respected,” Mascarenhas stated, noting that the previous term’s procedural rules (2021-2025), also presided over by Carlos Moedas, were “more balanced” and better upheld “the democratic spirit and the opposition.”
Indicating that the procedural proposal “is not a closed document,” Bruno Mascarenhas anticipates “numerous changes” during the executive municipal meeting discussion, likely addressing each point individually to achieve consensus for approval “according to the majority’s will at the time.”
In statements to Lusa, Chega councilor emphasized that “there is no agreement with the leadership of Carlos Moedas, supported by PSD, CDS-PP, and IL.”
“This is case by case, and what seems most correct for the city, to defend Lisbon, is what we will do,” he assured.
Both BE and PCP have also voiced concerns about the procedural proposal, deeming it an attack on transparency and democracy within the Lisbon Council.
In response to Lusa, a source from Carlos Moedas’ office stated, “the procedural rules for the 2025-2029 term will allow for swifter and more effective municipal decision-making for Lisbon’s populations and will safeguard the municipal deliberative body’s nature and special aptitude for political discussion and debate on the city’s problems and solutions.”
In the current term, social democrat Carlos Moedas governs in a minority with eight members from the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition, falling short of an absolute majority, which would require electing nine of the 17 executive members of the capital. The opposition comprises four PS councilors, one from Livre, one from BE, two from Chega, and one from PCP.
