Alexandra Leitão recognized her electoral defeat at 00:30. “I’m here to accept the defeat in the Autárquicas, I congratulated Carlos Moedas and wished him luck for what’s to come”, she began, while being greatly applauded by the crowd that flocked to Forum Lisboa, on Avenida de Roma.
For the socialist, there is no regret about her coalition partners. “It was a convergence that I don’t regret. All things that are guided by public service are always worth it. That’s why this path was worth it in itself. I want to thank Livre, Bloco and PAN for their courage. I take full responsibility for a result that we did not want”, he declared.
The socialist says she is not thinking about future positions in the PS, but rather about her work as a councilor, where she will combat Moedas’ governance. “I pledge loyalty to whoever won and rigorous, firm opposition. The opposition has legitimacy and we must be vigilant“, assured the candidate who, at 1 am, had 5000 fewer votes than Carlos Moedas. “At this moment, I only have two certainties, the first is that I will take over the council. The second is that I will use my ability and rigor”, he expressed.
Rui Tavares, spokesperson for Livre, and Mariana Mortágua, coordinator of Bloco de Esquerda, accompanied Leitão on stage. The general secretary of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, spoke in Largo do Rato and was not present at the Lisbon Forum.