Aveiro: former CDS municipal deputy runs for Chega

Former CDS-PP municipal deputy Diogo Machado will run for mayor of Aveiro for Chega in the October local elections, the party announced this Thursday.

Speaking to Lusa, the candidate said he is running for mayor to present “a serious, transparent and rigorous alternative to the same old protagonists,” referring to the candidacies of the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition and the PS.

One of the main projects of his candidacy is the construction of a new hospital from scratch, in partnership with the University of Aveiro and private entities, which, according to him, should be ready to operate by the end of his term.

"It will be a central and university hospital to be built in the Aveiro Sports Park area," explained Diogo Machado, adding that this is the best location for a facility that aims to define the city's future.

Other plans include the creation of a large intermunicipal industrial zone between the A17 and A1 motorways, in partnership with neighboring municipalities, and the implementation of a video surveillance system in the city of Aveiro.

The candidate also promises to create a municipal department to provide, at any time, all information on contracts, projects, licensing, and investments, committing to rigor, accurate accounting, and transparency.

"Financial transparency, including licensing, contracts, and direct agreements, must be complete," stated Diogo Machado, adding that his first action, if elected, would be to request the General Inspectorate of Finance to conduct an audit of Aveiro City Council's accounts.

Diogo Machado, 56, was a CDS-PP deputy in the Aveiro Municipal Assembly for two terms, from 1994 to 2001. He was the general director of the municipal mixed-capital company Aveiro Expo and is currently a businessman.

At the party level, he served as vice-president of the CDS-PP council, resigning from the position in June 2013, citing disagreements over the local government's strategy, following the announcement of a renewed coalition with the PSD. He eventually left the party in 2014. He has served as president of the local Chega branch since 2024.

In addition to Diogo Machado (Chega), the candidacies for the Aveiro City Council of Alberto Souto Miranda (PS), Luís Souto Miranda (PSD/CDS/PPM), João Moniz (Left Bloc), Miguel Gomes (Liberal Initiative), Isabel Tavares (CDU) and Bruno Fonseca (Livre) have also been announced.

Currently, the Aveiro City Council is led by the Social Democrat Ribau Esteves, who will complete his third term and, for this reason, cannot run again.

In the 2021 local elections, the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition won six seats, and the PS/PAN won three. Chega currently has one elected member in the Aveiro Municipal Assembly.

The local elections will take place on October 12th.