Lisbon Mayor Accuses PS of Radical Shift Towards Chaos in the City

Political Tensions Escalate in Lisbon

In a fiery speech at the 21st edition of the PSD Summer University in Castelo de Vide, Portalegre, Carlos Moedas, the current Mayor of Lisbon and re-election candidate, launched sharp accusations against the Socialist Party (PS). He claimed that the PS has radicalized and opted for a path of chaos in the capital, citing their participation in protests against the police and obstruction of municipal decisions.

Moedas emphasized his political value of moderation, stating, "We want to combat extremisms, whether from the left or the right, and I have been heavily attacked for this. I repeat, the extreme left and the extreme right are equally bad. There is an equivalence in these extremisms: they are equally harmful."

He argued that these extremisms can only be countered by understanding the changes in politics, advocating for a balance between the old hierarchical, vertical, and rational approach and the new emotional, horizontal, and digital methods.

Specific Accusations and Examples

Moedas expressed concern over the PS's shift, accusing them of choosing chaos in Lisbon. He questioned, "How can a party like the PS be in a protest against the police? How can they block concrete measures for the city?" He provided examples, such as the repeated rejection of IMT tax exemptions for youth and the blockage of constructing 600 new student beds in Lisbon due to private sector involvement.

He stressed that he doesn't care if solutions are public or private, as long as they address the needs of students arriving in Lisbon.

Leadership and Environmental Criticisms

Reflecting on his leadership, Moedas described it as based on impact, intimacy, and inspiration. He highlighted a measure by his administration to remove political posters from central areas of the city, planting 50,000 trees in four years. He accused the PS of "political cynicism" for recently covering the city with large posters, challenging them and left-wing coalition parties on environmental sustainability.

He said, "When the PS talks to me about sustainability and pollution, while polluting the city with huge posters, that's political cynicism. I'd like to know what environmental activists from that left bloc and the Left Bloc think about this visual pollution."

Upcoming Elections and Current Governance

The article notes that multiple candidates are running for the Lisbon City Council in the municipal elections on October 12, including Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), and others. Currently, Moedas governs without an absolute majority, elected by the "New Times" coalition.

For more details, refer to the related article: MAI já tinha parecer negativo? "Estarei ao lado dos polícias", diz Moedas.