The PS MP Cristiana Duarte left the session of the Assembly of Freguesia de Aljubarrota, held on September 4, after allegedly feeling disrespected and accused without the opportunity to defend herself. In a statement, the local politician announced that, from now on, she would maintain her mandate but cease to intervene in the sessions, functioning as "a mute voice" on the body. According to the MP, the decision was not made "lightly," considering that remaining in the room would mean "condoning a way of doing politics" with which she does not identify.
Cristiana Duarte reports that, right from the first interventions, she was criticized for having made public, as a parishioner, an opinion about two events in the parish being held on the same day, a position classified as "unfounded, slanderous and offensive." The MP also mentions having alerted the president of the Junta about three months ago to the danger posed by a damaged pole, and denies having blamed the Junta for its replacement. She also considers that, since the current Executive took office, the positions of the PS "are not considered or prioritized."
The Junta de Aljubarrota, in a response signed by president Élia Pimenta and the president of the Assembly Rosa Cordeiro, presents a different version of the facts. According to the Junta, the MP left the room "at the moment when the President of the Junta began to provide the clarifications she deemed necessary," without hearing the intervention through to the end, denying any intention of preventing her from defending herself. Regarding the controversy over the two events, it clarifies that the organization of the folklore event was the responsibility of the Rancho Folclórico dos Casais de Santa Teresa, with only "incorrect information" having existed in the initial publicity.
The Junta states it "does not specifically understand" what the MP means when she claims that the PS positions are not being considered, reaffirming openness to dialogue with all elected members. The Executive guarantees it has no "desire to fuel an open war" and expresses availability for direct and constructive dialogue at the Assembly of Freguesia.
