Accompanied by several CDU candidates for municipal councils in the Lisbon district, including Loures, Sintra, Vila Franca de Xira, Odivelas, Oeiras, and Cascais, Paulo Raimundo and João Ferreira marched down Chiado in Lisbon. Thousands of people, waving flags and balloons, filled Rua do Carmo at the end of the parade.
Amid the sound of drums and chants such as “The CDU advances with full confidence,” Paulo Raimundo told journalists that the coalition has “the best project for the city of Lisbon.”
“We have a transformative project, a project that addresses the needs of Lisbon to break with 24 years of alternation between PS and PSD,” stated Paulo Raimundo, arguing that the coalition is “paving the way for an alternative in Lisbon.”
“The door is open, and now, from now until Sunday, we need to widen it,” he said.
When asked if he feared João Ferreira’s candidacy might split the leftist vote, benefiting Carlos Moedas, Paulo Raimundo responded: “This is not about dividing anything; it’s about building.”
“Here is João to build,” he said.
Along the route, joined by personalities like former PCP secretary-general Carlos Carvalhas, Paulo Raimundo received support from some individuals and waved to those on balconies.
At the end of Rua do Carmo, Paulo Raimundo addressed the thousands of people participating, asserting that in Lisbon, CDU serves as “a great space of convergence where energies, hope, and enthusiasm unite to change Lisbon.”
The PCP secretary-general stated that CDU does not have “a project,” but rather “the project, the ideas, the solutions” for Lisbon.
“We have everything to move Lisbon forward. And we don’t just have candidates; we have the candidates: serious, honest people who are connected to the life, people who don’t speak flippantly about the issues facing Lisbon’s population. They feel, live, and confront these problems here,” he said.
He then highlighted João Ferreira’s candidacy, stressing an “undeniable fact.”
“Everyone knows and recognizes: we don’t just have a candidate for the presidency of the Chamber. We have the best, the most prepared candidate to assume all the responsibilities the people wish to bestow. João Ferreira,” declared the PCP secretary-general, turning to the CDU candidate and saying: “Now it’s said, it’s said, João, now you have to assume it.”
Calling for Lisboetas to vote “for the best solution, the best project, the best candidate, and João Ferreira,” Paulo Raimundo also made an appeal to CDU militants.
“In these two thousand and some minutes remaining until 7:00 PM on Sunday, not a minute should be wasted continuing the outreach, the conversation, the mobilization. As João said, continue turning votes here,” he requested.
