“Lisbon needs a mobility plan that respects its neighborhoods, residents, and rhythm. The city cannot continue to be overwhelmed by tourist transportation models that disrupt the rest, safety, and quality of life of local populations,” stated Luís Mendes.
The candidate for the City Council and the Parish Council of Marvila, accompanied by Bruno Rios, the lead candidate for the Lisbon Municipal Assembly, chose the viewpoint over Bairro do Vale Fundão to present RIR’s candidacy, initially without the party’s president, who was delayed due to her car being blocked by Lisbon’s Mobility and Parking Company (EMEL).
Luís Mendes used the chaotic scenario at the Nossa Senhora do Monte viewpoint as an example, “where the constant flow of tuk-tuks and other tourist vehicles has generated noise, congestion, and insecurity.”
He committed “to preventing the circulation of these vehicles in sensitive areas, restoring tranquility to places that should be spaces of contemplation rather than commercial exploitation.”
For a “fair mobility,” the candidate intends to “create a parking card for Lisbon residents,” exclusively for residents, allowing one free hour per day in parking facilities managed by EMEL.
Other proposals include free use of the Gira bicycle network for residents and city workers, strengthening the cycling network with connections to public transport, and increasing bus routes to “better serve” residential neighborhoods and school zones.
Regarding housing, communicating via social media, as only his mother was present at the viewpoint, he committed to “building 11,000 homes through public or private financing and funds from the PRR.”
Additional promises included the redevelopment of vacant municipal properties, strengthening Gebalis with “more resources and means” to “quickly respond” to the maintenance and monitoring of municipal properties, promoting student accommodation and housing for relocated teachers, ensuring that education is “accessible and fair.”
Security will also be a priority, with plans to reinforce the Municipal Police with “more human and material resources,” install “more surveillance cameras throughout the city, especially in more vulnerable areas,” and foster a “closer and more effective collaboration with all security entities.”
Using the campaign slogan “For a Clean, Just, and Lively Lisbon,” Luís Mendes, 48, an operational assistant in the urban hygiene department, emphasized that the city “is dirty,” with “garbage accumulated on the streets, uncut weeds in public spaces, and degraded, dangerous sidewalks.”
“The current separation of responsibilities between the Lisbon City Council and parish councils has created confusion, duplication of efforts, and even ‘no man’s land’ zones,” he noted, advocating for “true and permanent coordination between these entities” and “investment in new equipment, modern vehicles, intelligent waste management technology,” and “more operational assistants.”
The candidate also gave “a special word” to the voters of Marvila, where he has built “relationships, memories, and dreams,” and envisions a parish “cleaner, with well-maintained streets and dignified public spaces,” more “just, with real social support for those most in need,” and “livelier, with sports, culture, youth participation, and active citizen involvement.”
The president of RIR and second on the list for the city council, Márcia Henriques, later thanked Luís Mendes for his willingness to run, in response to the “lack of response” from the municipal president, Carlos Moedas (PSD), during the “famous garbage crisis” last December.
“We are, as I usually say, normal people who experience everyday problems,” who even “suffer from EMEL’s blockers,” she remarked wryly, acknowledging that they don’t expect to win the city council but aspire to “make a difference” if they can “convey the message.”
