“Anyone who wants a lot of noise, yelling, theatrics, and complicity with the wrong options has many places to vote and many colors to choose from. But for those who want serious people, connected to reality, ready to denounce and also to construct, here is the CDU,” stated Paulo Raimundo in a speech at the end of a rally in Odivelas, Lisbon district.
In a speech with several apparent references to Chega, which he never mentioned directly, Paulo Raimundo emphasized that the CDU does not shy away from “any issue” or “any problem” and acknowledged that the population of Odivelas “faces a real security issue.”
“The insecurity in being able to maintain housing and find a place to live. The insecurity of coping with the ever-increasing cost of living. The insecurity of small and medium-sized business owners, insufficient wages, lack of transportation, lack of schedules, poverty, injustice, and inequality,” he stated.
The PCP secretary-general argued that these are “the main difficulties,” asserting that if these security issues are not solved, “there’s no point talking about the other” related to crime, because “it stems from these fundamental problems.”
Later, Paulo Raimundo claimed that the CDU can stand “with pride,” but acknowledged their shortcomings.
“We, with many difficulties, needed to go further, needed to have done more, it’s true. If anyone is not satisfied with what we’ve done, it’s us. But despite all of this, we were where we needed to be, alongside the people, their problems, encouraging, giving confidence, mobilizing,” he said.
The PCP secretary-general made this speech shortly after holding a march through the streets of Odivelas, where, amidst the constant sound of drums and chants from several dozen supporters, he distributed leaflets, entered businesses, and took photos with supporters.
In his closing remarks, Paulo Raimundo addressed the specifics of Odivelas, one of the smallest municipalities in the country, asserting that “it cannot continue to be a dormitory, and an increasingly costly one at that.”
“Odivelas has its own identity, and it is necessary to reclaim that identity,” he argued, emphasizing the need to “take care of urban spaces,” “ensure urban cleanliness,” “reinforce public transport,” and ensure that works are not done “just three weeks before elections.”
“For the past three weeks, it’s been nothing but work. It would be better if there were elections every year, as the work would be completed from one day to the next,” he commented.
This sentiment was echoed by the CDU’s candidate for the Odivelas Municipal Council, Florentino Serranheira, who argued for “a competent and rigorous government” and accused the PS of “hiding behind their offices, both in the municipal council and in parish councils.”
“It is a fact that we have only seen work in Odivelas in the last 15 days. Odivelas has been abandoned, dirty, degraded, and suddenly, during election time, these last-minute attempts to court votes from the PS appear,” he criticized.
