The candidate grew up in Lagos and completed all his education there through high school. Later, he became interested in Economics, a field he would later pursue, and complete a degree. Outside of Lagos, he worked in the private sector, including a postgraduate degree in Finances.

However, the PS candidate for Lagos municipality always felt compelled to return to his hometown, and when he did, he started a family and worked as an accounting technician at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lagos, a businessman, a professor at the University of Algarve, and financial director at the Western Algarve Hospital Centre.

His political career began in 2001 as a member of the Lagos Municipal Assembly, joining the PS party lists. In 2013, he worked as vice-president of the Lagos City Council and, in 2019, he assumed the presidency of the municipality. In 2021, during the municipal elections, he was elected mayor of Lagos.

The Portugal News (TPN): Why do you intend to run again for the Lagos City Council?

Hugo Pereira (HP): Because I am passionate about Lagos, my municipality, my hometown, my team and I are committed to the people of driving the city's development.

Currently, we have invested over €100 million projects that are already being done in areas such as Housing (almost half of the quoted amount), Health, Education, Environment, and Heritage/Culture. This is a significant investment for the city and fair to our residents, only possible thanks to the rigorous and balanced management implemented. This work must be completed, and others must be initiated.

By the way, I suggest checking out our website where everyone can see the extensive work carried out in 2021-2025, what we have in progress, and our ideas and proposals for 2025-2029.

TPN: How would you describe the foreign community residing in Lagos?

HP: We have a foreign community of various origins (I present them in alphabetical order): Europeans such as Germans, British, French, Irish, Italians, Dutch, Swedes, Ukrainians, among others, and non-Europeans, including people from North America, Asia, South America, primarily Brazil, and the Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP).

From a socioeconomic perspective, this foreign resident community is divided into two broad categories: one group wants to improve their economic situation, seeking and aspiring to a more dignified life than they had in their home countries; the other, who find a fantastic climate, unique natural beauty, safety, and a good quality of life, among other factors.

In general, they are friendly people who, for one reason or another, have decided to continue their lives here, taking an interest in the municipality and participating in its social, cultural, and economic life. For me, and for us at PS, they are all citizens of the municipality of Lagos.

TPN: How important are these citizens to the municipality?

HP: Very important! For us, this community belongs to Lagos, and it is also Lagos. Beyond demographics, they contribute to the economy, whether on the demand side, by purchasing goods and services, or on the supply side, as entrepreneurs or as labour force for our local economy, reinforcing the cosmopolitanism of our territory and contributing to its diversity and richness from a social, economic, and cultural perspective.

In fact, I am certain that this community feels and knows that Lagos is a municipality that knows how to welcome, embrace, and integrate.

TPN: Do you believe that the participation of these citizens in electoral events, such as municipal elections, is important? Why?

HP: Of course! If they live in a certain territory, they have every right to participate in decisions and get involved in political life. Their needs must be on the political agenda: this is an aspect that strengthens democracy. Indeed, the right to vote is one of the fundamental instruments of civic participation and, therefore, of integration into society.

TPN: Are there any new measures you would like to implement in a possible new term?

HP: I can say that, if elected, we will, for example: create a space for multicultural activities among the different nationalities residing in the parish of Luz, fostering integration, coexistence, and respect for diversity.

We intend to strengthen the mechanisms of connection between people and the municipal administration, constantly adapting communication methods to the needs of residents and visitors, in a culture of proximity public service.

We want to maintain administrative modernization procedures, providing quality public service, and continue expanding the Digital Citizen Service system.

We will increase accessibility to the services of the Citizen's Office by improving communication in several foreign languages ​​and enhancing service capabilities for foreign communities in the municipality.

We are interested in continuing to strengthen communication and service channels with the City Hall, allowing for better and easier access for citizens. We also intend to fight with the Central Government for the further expansion of the services of the Citizen's Office, bringing them closer to the existing services of the Citizen's Offices, in close coordination with the various sectors of the Central Administration.

TPN: How did PS in Lagos react to the results of the legislative elections? Specifically, the results in the municipality?

HP: In a democracy, the various political forces present themselves to the polls with proposals that are evaluated by the population. In the legislative elections, as in all elections, the people are sovereign and have chosen another political force to govern the country. We have to accept that. Looking at the results in the municipality, the legislative elections do not judge the work of the incumbent mayors. They are different elections. In local elections, the candidates are close to the people and know the territory well. And here, I am referring specifically to the PS candidates and the projects we have for the municipality and its parishes, which, often due to their scale, require longer timeframes for their implementation. In fact, we do not present our population with unfeasible projects and models created using artificial intelligence, nor do we resort to populist strategies based on disinformation and fake news. All of these are toxic and manipulative strategies that reveal a tremendous lack of democratic and political integrity.

TPN: What is the municipality's strategy to reverse the results of the municipal elections?

HP: As I mentioned in the previous question, municipal elections are different from legislative elections, and in 2021, the community of Lagos unequivocally trusted PS candidates to govern the municipality. As always, the best strategy is to work for the people, to pursue the public interest, and to do much for our territory and all those who live here.

TPN: In your opinion, what led the people from Lagos to vote more to the right?

HP: I will mention again that municipal elections are different from legislative elections: in the first, local governments are evaluated; in the latter, central governments are evaluated. But, without a doubt, over the past thirty or forty years, the Central Government and successive governments have failed to resolve some of the country's structural problems, issues that depend little or nothing on local governments. For example, housing, whether for the middle class or of a social nature, is an issue that now affects much of the Western world; justice, with its slow and complex procedural process; the country’s overly complex legislative structure, which often contradicts itself; bureaucracy, with the inertia it generates and hinders the relationship between individuals and businesses with the State, among others. These are some of the issues that have been postponed.

TPN: What appeal would you make to foreign citizens to vote in the October 12th elections?

HP: I say to them the following: the foreign communities residing in Lagos are made up of people who love this land.

In these municipal elections, which will shape the future of the municipality for the next four years, the civic participation of foreign citizens is essential. It presents an opportunity to express their opinions, contribute to local decisions, and help build a more just, sustainable, and inclusive municipality.

PS, which I am proud to represent in Lagos, is part of the European Social Democracy family, defending democracy, the rule of law, and respect for humanist values. Recognising the importance of foreign communities to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of our municipality, the PS presents a program that values ​​cultural and ethnic diversity as one of our greatest assets, driving development and innovation.

We believe in Lagos for all! We advocate for a municipality where no one is left behind and where civic participation is encouraged and recognized, regardless of nationality or language.

TPN: Finally, if you have anything else to add, please use this space.

HP: We count on the support of the entire expatriate community to build the future together, because "Lagos is All of Us!"