The Municipal Assembly of Olhão will have a president of the PSD, the first non-socialist leader of the municipal body in Olhão since the 25th of April.
The opposition, including the most leftist parties with seats on the organ, the CDU and BE, will have united to vote heavily on the list presented by the Social Democrats, headed by Daniel Santana. The final result of the vote, made by secret ballot, was 14 votes for the winning list against 11 for the loser, presented by the PS.
The choice of the AM president for the 2013/17 term was made, as usual, after the Swearing in of those elected for the municipal bodies of Olhão, which took place this Monday night in the Municipal Auditorium of Olhão. António Pina took office as mayor and opted for a speech calling for consensus. It was not enough.
In Municipal Elections, the PS did not obtain an absolute majority in the Municipal Assembly, but even so, it had a comfortable advantage in the number of deputies in relation to the second most represented force (11 of the PS, 7 of the PSD).
But the decision, for one or another of the lists presented, would always depend on the direction of vote of the other forces represented: the CDU (3 deputies), the Left Block (3) and the independents of Novo Rumo (1).
What, everything indicates, prevailed was a protest vote against the PS, in power in Olhão since the first democratic municipal elections after the 25th of April (in December 1976). Not least because the list of socialists was headed by former mayor Francisco Leal, who was always the target of fierce criticism from the more leftist parties.
And it was noticed that there could be surprises when the PS presented a list that did not include the name of Francisco Leal. An unexpected situation, which created a buzz in the Municipal Auditorium of Olhão.
José Manuel Coelho, number two on the AM socialist list, was the name proposed by the PS, but the concession was not enough to convince the opposition.
At the end of the session, the newly sworn in mayor, the socialist António Pina, did not hide his disappointment at the loss of the AM presidency.
"Is weird. I think, above all, that those who voted to the left, who voted against the oppression of the Troika, against this Government and the dismantling of social support for the Portuguese, must regret having voted for the CDU and the BE. Your vote, today, served to support the PSD», he considered.
The outcome was not entirely unexpected, but the fact that the PSD depends on the left-most parties to elect its candidate for the AM presidency allowed the PS to maintain hope.
António Pina asked for consensus, but waits to see
In the September 29 elections, the PS lost an absolute majority not only in the AM, but also in the City Council. A situation that will force António Pina to seek consensus in both bodies, in order to move forward with measures.
The inauguration speech of the new mayor of Olhão was, moreover, in this sense. But, after the outcome of the vote for the presidency of the Municipal Assembly, António Pina was not confident that it would be easy to find a platform for understanding. "Let's see," he said only.
The appeal was based "on the interest of Olhão" and António Pina, after the ceremony, did not demobilize him. "One of the first measures I want to take, together with other political forces, is to try to unblock the issue of the Marina and the Fishing Port," he said. «The Marina can function as a second five-star hotel», he defended
“We have to turn our activity towards actions that promote employability”, he continued. For this, it is "fundamental to unlock the bars and channels", to dynamize the aquaculture sector, rehabilitate the Riverfront, with funds from Polis, and promote urban rehabilitation, taking advantage of Community Funds available for that purpose," he said. Another of the key sectors will be “social action”.
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