LISBON IS literally plastered with election posters and billboards for the month-long campaign for the presidency of the Câmara.
Both official and independent candidates had until Monday (June 4) to be put forward for the municipal elections which will take place on July 15.
There are 12 candidates fighting for the elections, the largest number since 1976, although only three – António Costa (PS), Fernando Negrão (PSD) and Telmo Correia (CDS-PP) ‑ are considered in the running to win.
The other candidates are Carmona Rodrigues (Independent), Manuel Monteiro (PND), Helena Roseta (Independent), José Sá Fernandes (BE), Garcia Pereira (MRPP), José Pinto Coelho (PNR), José Pinto Coelho (PNR), Pedro Quartin Graça (MPT), Ruben de Carvalho (CDU) and Gonçalo C. Pereira (PPM).
Although the issues being fought over are varied depending on the candidate standing, two issues are echoed loud and clear with all of them: less corruption and more transparency and putting the municipal finances on an even keel.
For the first time, the elections will be influenced by the Lei da Paridade (Sexual Equality Law), which states that lists of candidates for the Portuguese Parliament (Assembleia da República), European Parliament and Municipal Câmaras (Autarquias Locais) must have a minimum representation of 33 per cent for each sex.
Lisbon issues
Among the Lisbon issues being fought over in these elections, other than good governance, are: fighting crime, parking problems and traffic congestion, limiting vehicle entrance into the city centre, employment, maintaining the city’s housing stock, controlling real estate speculation and modernising some old Lisbon neighbourhoods (bairros).
The official electoral campaign kicks off on July 6 when the candidates have 12 days to convince the electorate that they are the best man or woman for the post, which is seen as a poison chalice by some and a stepping stone to political high office in Portugal by others.
Before July 6, a pre-election campaign will get under way, during which time the candidates will have the opportunity to clearly lay out their policies for the city and their electoral pledges and how they intend to fulfil them.
Last week at the Hotel Meridien Atlantic, PSD candidate Fernando Negrão spelled out what he thought was wrong with Lisbon and what needed to be done when addressing various chambers of commerce.
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