CDU is the "force of convergence" and has a "distinctive project" in Coimbra

P aulo Raimundo participated tonight in a rally in Coimbra, where, in these local elections, PS, Livre and PAN joined together in a coalition headed by former minister Ana Abrunhosa, against another coalition made up of PSD, IL and CDS-PP that supports José Manuel Silva, current Mayor.

In a speech at this rally, the PCP's general secretary stated that they are trying to "get across the idea" that, in Coimbra, there is only a "dispute between two" in these local elections, in an allusion to the confrontation between Ana Abrunhosa's coalition and José Manuel Silva's.

"And if we want to be strict, there is in fact a dispute between two profoundly different projects. On one side is the project that, with this or that difference, on the essential issues, is exactly the same thing, and on the other is the distinctive project of the CDU," he stated.

Paulo Raimundo argued that the CDU's project is "the project of public housing, sports, culture, transport, the environment, cooperation", which clashes "with the project and programs of speculation, of shady deals, of this policy at the service of a few".

In front of a few hundred CDU activists who were listening to him, Paulo Raimundo argued that, in the current electoral context in Coimbra, the important thing "is not knowing who wins", although he acknowledged that this is not irrelevant.

"The central question is knowing who will be there, who will be there to comply, as [current CDU councilor in the city, Francisco] Queirós complied, who will be there to denounce, who will be there to pave the way," he stated.

In his speech, Paulo Raimundo sought to counter the idea that the left-wing parties that have united around a coalition represent the forces of convergence, emphasizing that the CDU is made up of communists, ecologists and "many independents, even people from other parties."

"The CDU is the great force of unity, the great force of convergence," argued Paulo Raimundo, highlighting that the independents who are on the CDU lists in the local elections "are not here for the photo op."

"This is the strength of unity that brings together very different people, not looking for prominence, personal projects, or looking for positions. Here we are all different, but equal in service and only in service to the people," he argued.

In this speech, Paulo Raimundo also made several criticisms of the Government, criticizing in particular the fact that Prime Minister Luís Montenegro last week admitted a new extraordinary supplement for pensioners if there is budgetary leeway.

Pensioners "don't need a few crumbs when there's money left over from the money that the government, Chega, and IL handed over to large economic groups with the IRC reduction. We don't need crumbs. Those who have worked their entire lives (...) deserve decent pensions," he argued.

Before Paulo Raimundo, Francisco Queirós, a CDU councilor in Coimbra since 2009 and who is running again for the position in these local elections, spoke. Speaking to CDU members, the councilor sought to avoid a concentration of votes for the left-wing coalition.

"On Sunday, in Coimbra, 11 councilors for the municipal executive will be elected. This isn't an election for Joe or Mary to be mayor. It's much more than that, it's much deeper than that. What's at stake is the election of 11 councilors," he said.

Francisco Queirós argued that, "with more votes, with more elected officials in parishes and municipal bodies", the CDU "will be able to do much more and better for Coimbra".

"It's in our hands to talk to everyone, to speak to everyone," he argued.

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