The Mayor of Sintra, Marco Almeida, elected by the PSD/IL/PAN coalition, discussed his agreement to lead the municipal executive, which includes councilors from Chega, leading to the Liberal Initiative (IL) withdrawing confidence from its councilor, Eunice Baeta. Almeida justified the agreement with Chega involving two elected officials assuming roles in the municipality, after failed talks with the Socialist Party (PS) councilors, who hold four seats, as does the coalition led by Almeida.
“During the campaign, I insisted that I had no red lines – except for incompetence. Before we finalized all necessary agreements for the governance and stability of the council, I made sure to speak with all elected officials to the Sintra Municipal Council to find a solution,” he stated in an interview with SIC Notícias.
Regarding the PS, which “refused, choosing to remain outside” the agreement, Almeida expressed regret over their decision, reportedly due to Chega’s inclusion. “In democracy, there are no first or second-class votes,” he said, in response to the socialists staying out of the agreement because of Chega’s councilors.
“I am pleased to have reached an understanding with Chega’s councilors to govern the council for four years. They are committed individuals […] and I received full availability from Chega’s councilors […]. PS chose its own path,” he remarked, suggesting the PS often presents itself as “a founder of democracy” yet does not acknowledge equal votes.
“PS has a skewed view of democracy. I deeply regret that,” he said.
When asked whether he would have liked Rita Matias, who continues in Parliament after losing the Sintra council race, to hold a council position, Almeida said: “Rita Matias has a career in the Assembly of the Republic, with many commitments. She has fantastic and extraordinary experience. If she wanted portfolios, she would have them, but she will always be with us in council meetings.”
In his statements to SIC Notícias, Marco Almeida was also confronted about criticisms regarding this openness to Chega, alongside the absence of red lines towards the party, decided only nationally. “Sintra residents do not care which party councilors belong to.”
Asked about IL withdrawing confidence from the councilor, Marco Almeida replied: “I will be blunt: Mariana Leitão had the opportunity to participate in the electoral campaign in Sintra and did not. IL’s local structure validated this understanding. I am pleased. Councilor Eunice and the entire local structure submitted a document to IL’s national leadership stating they were comfortable with the agreement. Mariana Leitão had the opportunity to contribute decisively to this victory.”
