Summary:
Tensions escalated in Lisbon's Municipal Assembly leading to a suspension of the meeting.
Mayor Carlos Moedas accused of lying and leaving the room during the session.
Maria Escaja from BE challenges the mayor's responsibility regarding advertising contracts.
Discussion intensifies with Joana Teixeira highlighting Moedas's inability to respond.
The Automóvel Club de Portugal files a measure against the city council over large digital advertising panels.
Suspension of the Municipal Assembly Meeting
On Tuesday, the president of the Municipal Assembly of Lisbon, Rosário Farmhouse, suspended the plenary session following a heated exchange between PSD and BE deputies. This incident occurred after Carlos Moedas, the Mayor of Lisbon, left the room due to accusations of lying.
During the assembly, Moedas was presenting the executive's work from July to August when Maria Escaja, a BE municipal deputy, criticized him for allegedly blaming the previous administration for the installation of large advertising panels, which was signed during his current term.
"Carlos Moedas lies. Why doesn’t he take responsibility?" Escaja challenged. In defense of his honor, Moedas exited the room at 5:27 PM.
Continued Tensions and Discussions
The discussion continued with Joana Teixeira, another BE deputy, asserting that Moedas's actions showed an inability to address the issues raised. This led to further debates among PSD, CDS-PP, and independent deputies from the Cidadãos Por Lisboa movement.
Miguel Graça from Cidadãos Por Lisboa commented that the right-wing deputies' interjections were due to the BE being represented by female deputies, which escalated tensions, prompting Farmhouse to suspend the meeting for five minutes.
Resumption of the Meeting
Upon resuming at 5:55 PM, the assembly continued with Teixeira's speech. In Moedas's absence, Filipe Anacoreta Correia, the vice-president of the chamber, expressed regret over the incident. Moedas returned to the room at 6:05 PM.
Political Reactions
During the session, Bruno Mascarenhas from Chega presented two views on the incident, stating, "I don’t see any kind of misogyny [...] and I don’t understand the BE’s attitude questioning the mayor's honorability." He suggested that Moedas lacked the resilience to remain in the room.
In response, Moedas rejected this political approach of questioning individuals' integrity. From the PSD bench, Carlos Reis criticized those who turn politics into a black-and-white exercise, stating that accusations of lying undermine democratic political debate, especially with upcoming local elections in 2025 where Moedas is expected to run again.
Advertising Controversy
The installation of up to 125 large digital advertising panels in Lisbon has prompted the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) to file a precautionary measure against the city council and advertising companies, arguing that their size and placement threaten road safety. The city council has requested that JCDecaux halt the installation of additional panels and will negotiate solutions for those already in place.
Despite the process starting under the previous administration, the current council approved the contract with JCDecaux in September 2022, which lasts for 15 years and includes significant financial compensation to the city. The contract stipulates the installation of various advertising structures, including 900 mupis, 2,000 bus shelters, and 75 public toilets, among others, with a focus on digital advertising.
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