Ricardo Leão wins with majority in Loures

Socialist Ricardo Leão declared victory by an absolute majority in the local elections in Loures on Sunday, guaranteeing that he will respond to internal criticism from the PS “in the appropriate bodies” and promising to continue the “cycle of progress” that began four years ago.

"Yes, it wasn't a Pyrrhic victory. It was an absolute victory. It wasn't a small victory. It was a resounding victory," said Ricardo Leão.

The socialist mayor was re-elected this Sunday as mayor of Loures , in the district of Lisbon, with an absolute majority, obtaining 43.83% of the votes and electing six councilors.

The second most voted party was Chega, which obtained 20.67% of the votes (two elected), followed by the PSD/CDS-PP coalition, with 14.86% (two elected) and the CDU (PCP/PEV), with 10.97% (one elected).

In a resounding victory speech, the mayor referred to some political positions that generated criticism during his term, particularly on housing, noting that the election result legitimizes him to continue on this path.

"We all have rights, but we all have responsibilities here in Loures. We'll continue like this. A council with rules. This victory was against many, or against some who don't know what they're talking about, " he criticized, alluding to some internal criticism within the PS.

About a year ago, Ricardo Leão was embroiled in controversy when he defended the "merciless" eviction of tenants from municipal housing who participated in the disturbances that occurred in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area in October of last year.

This episode led several PS activists, including former Prime Minister António Costa, to criticize his political stance.

Following these criticisms, the socialist mayor resigned from the leadership of the PS's Lisbon Urban Area Federation.

More recently, Ricardo Leão was once again in the media spotlight due to the demolition of precarious buildings in the Bairro do Talude neighborhood.

When asked by journalists about internal criticism within the party regarding some of the measures he adopted in Loures, Ricardo Leão responded that he would not discuss the matter "in public," but rather at the next PS national committee.

"I will speak on this matter. I will say what I think, what was, and what, in my opinion, should be the future of the party," he emphasized.

In addition to Ricardo Leão, Bruno Nunes (Chega), Nélson Batista (PSD/CDS-PP), Gonçalo Caroço (CDU — PCP/PEV), Luís de Sousa (Free Coalition/BE/PAN), Isabel Elias (MPT), Luís Martins (IL) and João Gomes (ADN) were also running for president of the Loures City Council.

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