Lisbon's PS Opposition Warns: Budget Approvals for New City Government Will Be 'Difficult'

Lisbon's Political Landscape Shifts as New Municipal Term Begins

Alexandra Leitão, leading the Socialist Party (PS) councilors in Lisbon's municipal government, has stated that it will be "difficult" for the PS to approve budgets proposed by the new executive led by Carlos Moedas (PSD). This marks a significant change from the previous term, where PS abstentions allowed budgets to pass.

At the installation ceremony for Lisbon's 2025-2029 municipal bodies held at the Gare Marítima de Alcântara, Leitão emphasized that the PS will be "a rigorous, very demanding, loyal opposition, as always." She clarified that while not making firm commitments, the party's stance suggests challenges ahead for budget approvals under Moedas' leadership.

Background on Previous Term Budgets

During the 2021-2025 mandate, Carlos Moedas governed without an absolute majority—a situation that continues in the new term. All four municipal budgets were approved thanks to abstentions from PS councilors, with votes against from other opposition parties including PCP, Livre, BE, and Cidadãos Por Lisboa (elected by the PS/Livre coalition).

Reactions from Other Parties

João Ferreira, the sole PCP councilor, expressed disappointment that proposed lists for the Municipal Assembly's leadership from both PS and PSD excluded CDU (PCP/PEV coalition) representatives. He advocated for a plural representation reflecting electoral results, similar to the consensus-based approach in the previous term.

Regarding potential alliances, such as between PSD/CDS-PP/IL and Chega, Leitão declined to comment on "rumors or things that haven't happened yet," while Ferreira noted programmatic alignments on the right but left internal negotiations to those parties.

Election Results and Composition

In the October 12 elections, Carlos Moedas was re-elected mayor through the "Por ti, Lisboa" coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), securing 41.69% of votes and eight seats—one short of an absolute majority. The "Viver Lisboa" coalition (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), led by Alexandra Leitão, came second with 33.95% and six seats. Chega gained 10.10% and two seats, and CDU obtained 10.09% with one seat, narrowly missing a second.

The previous term included seven members from "Novos Tempos" (PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança), seven from "Mais Lisboa" (PS/Livre), two from CDU, and one from BE, with Chega not electing any councilors in 2021.