Motion of Censure Filed Against Lisbon City Council Following Glory Elevator Accident

Lisbon, Portugal – September 5, 2024 – A motion of censure has been filed against the Lisbon City Council Executive following Friday’s accident involving the Glory Elevator, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.the motion was announced by Bruno Mascarenhas, a Municipal Deputy and candidate for Lisbon Chamber, representing the Chega party.

“We have prepared a document – a motion of censure – to be debated next Tuesday,” Mascarenhas stated at a press conference held at the party’s Lisbon headquarters. “Engineer Carlos Moedas will, if available, be able to discuss this issue with us.”

The move seeks to hold the City Council accountable for the accident and demands a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding it. Mascarenhas defended the need to investigate the responsibilities of the Executive Chamber.

Party leader André Ventura emphasized the City Council’s ultimate responsibility, citing Carris, the public transportation company operating the elevator, as being under municipal management.

“I find it arduous that in these circumstances,as has already happened in other cases in Portugal which resulted in fatal victims,the highest-ranking official doesn’t take responsibility,” Ventura asserted.

Ventura further pointed to a previous instance in 2021 where Carlos Moedas called for the dismissal of then-Mayor Fernando medina following the transmission of data on anti-Putin protestors to the Russian embassy. He posed a rhetorical question: “What would Carlos Moedas, who demanded the admission of Fernando Medina for transmitting data to the Russian embassy, even if it was a technical error, say to the Moedas of 2025, after 16 deaths occurred in the city center and several were injured, whether those were technical errors or not?” He criticized politicians who readily demand accountability from others but avoid taking responsibility themselves.

According to the Municipal Assembly of Lisbon’s regulations, the Chega party, represented by three deputies, has the authority to propose motions of censure against the City Council based on its actions or the actions of its members.

Lusa News agency contributed to this report.