Nearing the end of the municipal campaign, Paulo Raimundo participated in a rally this afternoon in Setúbal, a municipality governed by CDU since 2001, which now faces competition from its former mayor, Maria das Dores Meira, supported by the PSD in the October 12 municipal elections.
Upon arriving at Praça do Bocage, Paulo Raimundo was welcomed with a bouquet of carnations by the Setúbal Mayor, André Martins, who is seeking re-election, and by Heloísa Apolónia, leader of the Ecologist Party “The Greens” (PEV).
Accompanied by the sound of drums and hundreds of supporters, in one of the CDU’s largest rallies of the campaign, Paulo Raimundo handed out carnations to people he encountered, visited commercial establishments, and expressed confidence to journalists in a “great victory” for the coalition in the municipality.
“We are here to continue the path. Setúbal does not need to go back to anything. Setúbal does not need to change anything, just to continue on this path of progress,” remarked Paulo Raimundo, in a nod to the coalition slogan of Maria das Dores Meira: “Setúbal de Volta” (Return Setúbal).
The PCP Secretary-General emphasized the CDU’s “strong confidence” in its achievements in Setúbal, “particularly in this term,” suggesting it was superior to previous ones under the leadership of Maria das Dores Meira.
“This term has seen the most projects completed and planned. It is the term in which we reclaimed water management for public control. It is a term of great accomplishments, and we are not against anyone. We would like it if no one were against the people of Setúbal,” he stated.
At the conclusion of the rally, in a speech to CDU supporters, Paulo Raimundo reiterated that “Setúbal does not need to return anywhere; only those who left need to return,” while criticizing Maria das Dores Meira’s candidacy.
“There are those who thought they could come here, garner support from this or that party force or half of these parties. That they could arrive, gather support, and win,” he said, alluding to Maria das Dores Meira and addressing the PS and Chega candidacies.
“There are also those who believed they could sabotage our work for four years and gain something at the expense of the people of Setúbal. And there are those who thought that merely showing up, shouting loudly, lying, and spreading demagoguery would suffice, and it was just money in the bank,” he stated.
Paulo Raimundo continued to say that “all these people forgot one detail”: that “the majority of the people of Setúbal are not swayed by nonsense” and that the CDU leaves “work and achievements” in the city.
“Here, in this force of truth, this force of projects, this force of honest people, there is no deception, no demagoguery, no trickery,” he declared, highlighting that the CDU consists of “honest and trustworthy people.”
André Martins, the CDU candidate for the Setúbal City Hall, also spoke at the rally, directing criticisms primarily at the PS candidacy led by Fernando José, but also aimed at Maria das Dores Meira.
“Here in Setúbal, we do not like weathervanes, those candidates who, while their party, the PS, is in government, remain as quiet as mice. When the government changes, they are out on the streets every day badmouthing everyone and everything,” he accused, noting that “not just anyone can be the mayor of Setúbal.”
“Only the CDU has completed work. The CDU holds the future of this territory, which is Setúbal,” he declared.
