Accident/Elevator: PSD/CDS-PP at Lisbon City Council proposes new technological system to ensure safety

The Vice-President of the Lisbon City Council, Filipe Anacoreta Correia (CDS-PP), today presented proposals from the PSD/CDS-PP leadership to respond to the accident with the Glória elevator, from supporting the victims to designing a new technological system for this elevator.

“An assessment for the future, forming a team to design a new technological system for this elevator, involving, if possible, the Order of Engineers and LNEC [National Civil Engineering Laboratory], and having the possibility of also rethinking anything that is necessary to provide unequivocal safety guarantees,” said Anacoreta Correia, speaking to journalists at Lisbon City Hall.

The mayor was giving an account of the PSD/CDS-PP leadership's proposals, before the start of an extraordinary meeting of the Lisbon City Council, which should be chaired by the mayor, Carlos Moedas (PSD), regarding the accident with the Glória elevator, in which measures to support the victims and their families should be discussed, as well as to determine the causes and responsibilities.

In addition to all members of the municipal executive, the meeting will also be attended by the president of Carris, Pedro de Brito Bogas.

The Glória elevator, managed by Carris, derailed on Wednesday afternoon, in an accident that left 16 dead and two dozen injured, including Portuguese and foreigners of various nationalities.

When asked whether the proposed design of a new technological system for the Glória elevator means that the elevator as we know it will not return to Calçada da Glória, Anacoreta Correia said that "it is premature to draw that conclusion."

"But from Lisbon City Council's side, what is unequivocal is that we must guarantee maximum security and, therefore, without unequivocal answers being given that reassure the entire city and the country regarding its functioning, it is natural that we cannot move forward," he explained.

The PSD/CDS-PP leadership, which governs without an absolute majority, also has a proposal for support and an immediate response in terms of creating a municipal fund to support victims linked to this accident.

According to the vice-mayor, another proposal is to pay tribute and acknowledge the brakeman who drove the damaged Glória elevator carriage, André Marques, and proposes naming a street in the city after him, in addition to creating a collective memorial.

Regarding the provision of information, the PSD/CDS-PP leadership suggests the creation of a "transparency portal" where all documentation related to the Glória elevator accident can be made available.

"There are also recommendations to Carris: the possibility of naming an elevator after the brakeman, and providing support to the family and families involved," said Anacoreta Correia, highlighting Carris' role in taking on some of the social responses.

Regarding whether the PSD/CDS-PP leadership's proposal is in line with that of the PS, which was presented on Friday, the vice-president of the council expressed his willingness to accept suggestions from the opposition, stating that "there is a great commitment" in this regard, warning that "this tragic moment cannot be a moment for political exploitation, it must be a moment of unity."

Regarding the assumption of political responsibility for the accident, Anacoreta Correia stated that today's council meeting "is not the time for political analysis," but rather for approving response measures.

Regarding resignations in the municipal executive, the vice-mayor, who also holds the Mobility portfolio, stated: "If there were any political responsibility, I understand that it would have to be placed first and foremost on me, but naturally, in my mind, and in my conscience, the conviction that we cannot escape has always been very present, and that's why we are here. It would always be the most convenient option, but we are here precisely to assume the responsibilities."