Lisbon City Council has approved a €175,000 support package for the Variações association, earmarked for the organization of EuroPride 2025, the European LGBTI+ community event set to take place in the Portuguese capital from June 14 to 22. The decision was made during a private executive meeting, with the proposal spearheaded by Mayor Carlos Moedas (PSD) and Councilor Diogo Moura (CDS-PP). The approval came through with votes solely from the PSD/CDS-PP leadership, which governs Lisbon without an absolute majority.
Key Highlights:
- The proposal saw abstentions from PS and PCP, while opposition members from Livre, Cidadãos Por Lisboa, and BE voted against it.
- The funding agreement includes terms for collaboration on EuroPride 2025 and a financial transfer to Variações, aimed at supporting the LGBTI+ commerce and tourism association.
- Opposition members raised concerns over public controversies surrounding the event's organization, including the withdrawal of several entities citing lack of municipal support.
Concerns and Controversies:
- PS expressed serious concerns over the exclusion of local LGBTI+ organizations from EuroPride's planning and the lack of a finalized program less than a month before the event.
- PCP abstained due to insufficient clarifications from the leadership and concerns over the departure of key organizing entities, questioning the credibility of Variações.
- Livre highlighted irregularities within Variações, prompting an audit by Turismo de Portugal, and noted the withdrawal of initial supporters like ILGA and AMPLOS.
Leadership's Stance: The PSD/CDS-PP leadership, led by Carlos Moedas, defended the decision, stating that the agreement does not diminish support for other city initiatives or the entities working in this sector.
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