Mário Passos is the new mayor of Vila Nova de Famalicão. The mayor took office this Sunday, in the session of the Municipal Assembly held at Casa das Artes, succeeding Paulo Cunha, who held the post since 2013.
The defence of regionalisation and decentralisation of competencies, the reflection on the geographical positioning of the territory, whose socioeconomic dynamics hang towards the Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto, and the attention to the three major issues of the day: public transport, housing and health, were the essential points of his first speech as Mayor.
The ideas that intertwine in substance demonstrate well the dynamics that Mário Passos intends to instil in the next four years.
"Here we are today to take on these challenges without fear. I only ask that we be allowed to work and that we be given the conditions to do so", said the mayor, referring to the decentralisation of competencies.
Mário Passos recalled the three most talked about issues during the campaign for the local elections "public transport, housing and health", stating that this happened because firstly "the Central Administration failed in the balanced management of the territory in these areas, which are its competence" and secondly, "because the country and the citizens, quite rightly, got used to seeing the local power as the solution to their concrete problems".
In this sense, the local authority defended "regionalisation or another mechanism, as long as it is effective, substantial and accompanied by the necessary support", underlining that "we are going to tackle the problems, which are challenges for us, and we will not rest until we give them an answer".
Mário Passos also took advantage of the ceremony, which was broadcast online through the City Council's official Facebook, to launch a reflection to famalicenses on the regional framework of the territory.
"We know that our community life hangs mainly towards the Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto. We are very connected to this region from a social and economic point of view and this connection tends to grow. Our regional framework is a reflection worth making", launched the mayor.
Recalling the last years, as being "of great affirmation for Famalicão", Mário Passos safeguarded that he will "keep the course, facing with courage and determination the challenges that time and actuality demand".
The re-elected president of the Assembly, Nuno Melo, chaired the Municipal Assembly for the inauguration of the members elected for the Chamber and the Municipal Assembly. At the session, the 11 councillors who make up the municipal executive were sworn in.
For the Municipal Assembly, 35 elected members took office: 20 from the PSD/CDS-PP Coalition, 13 from the PS, one from Chega and one from the United Democratic Coalition (CDU). The 34 presidents of the parish councils were also present.
The session was closed by Nuno Melo who stated, "the Municipal Assembly is an extraordinary organ. It is a true democratic forum, open to all citizens, where everyone works for the good of this magnificent county. It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to continue to be the president of the board of the Municipal Assembly".
The ceremony was also marked by the emotional and much applauded intervention of the outgoing Mayor, Paulo Cunha.