Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues has officially resigned from his position as Mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia, following a Constitutional Court ruling that mandated the loss of his mandate. Rodrigues, who was convicted for the misuse of a municipal vehicle, announced his resignation during a press conference, stating, "I have the feeling of a mission accomplished and a clear conscience."
A Mission Completed
Rodrigues emphasized that he would submit his resignation alongside the Consolidated Accounts Report in mid-June, marking the completion of his and his team's work. "I will leave the Municipal Consolidated Accounts document to compare with the deplorable state in which I received the City Council and the municipal public treasury," he added.
Legal Challenges Ahead
Despite his resignation, Rodrigues vowed to continue fighting for justice. "I do not expect the final results of justice, which may well go beyond the mandate. I had already said that I was considering leaving, and the time has come," he stated. He also criticized the Constitutional Court's decision as "unfair and wrong," promising to challenge it.
Succession Plans
Marina Mendes, the current vice-president of the Vila Nova de Gaia City Council, will assume the presidency following Rodrigues' resignation. Rodrigues expressed confidence in Mendes, stating, "I will naturally be succeeded by Dr. Marina Mendes, current councilor of the Chamber."
The Legal Backdrop
The Constitutional Court's decision came after Rodrigues was convicted of embezzlement for the improper use of a municipal vehicle. Originally fined 8,400 euros, the Porto Court of Appeal reduced the fine to 4,800 euros but upheld the loss of mandate. Rodrigues, first elected in 2013, was nearing the end of his third term and was ineligible for re-election.
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