LISBON, Portugal — Voters in Portugal headed to the polls on Sunday for local elections, with the mayoral race in Lisbon drawing significant attention following a tragic streetcar accident last month. The contest pits incumbent Mayor Carlos Moedas, leading a right-of-center coalition, against left-of-center candidate Alexandra Leitão, a law professor, for a four-year term. The September 3 crash, which claimed 16 lives—including 11 tourists—sparked public outrage, though Moedas has denied responsibility and declined to resign. The streetcar service, operated by Carris, falls under the oversight of the Lisbon City Council. However, many voters emphasized that their decisions were shaped more by pressing urban issues such as housing affordability, waste management, and the strain of tourism on the city’s infrastructure. José Rosa, a 72-year-old resident, lamented the chaotic traffic and garbage accumulation, stressing the need for proactive governance. Sandra Almeida, another voter, highlighted the housing crisis, stating that locals are being priced out of their own city. While the streetcar crash remains under investigation, with officials probing potential maintenance failures, Moedas has dismissed any political accountability, calling it a mechanical issue. Despite the tragedy, some voters, like Ana Btelho, saw the incident as a reflection of poor leadership. Moedas, a rising star in Portugal’s center-right Social Democratic Party, is seen as a potential future prime minister, with his tenure as mayor often viewed as a steppingstone to higher office.
Portugal holds municipal elections with attention on Lisbon after streetcar crash
