In a statement sent today to Diário do Distrito, Clara Vila Cova, secretary of the Samouco Parish Council, resigned, expressed her decision to resign from her position, effective from May 2, 2024.
The statement said that the decision was motivated by irreconcilable differences with the president of the Board, Leonel Fina, as well as the impossibility of carrying out his functions due to conflicts and decisions taken unilaterally.
According to the resigning secretary, disagreements with the president arose throughout her tenure in office, culminating in situations where she found herself confronted with decisions and actions that she considered contrary to the public interest and the criteria of legality.
Despite attempts at dialogue, the lack of understanding and the realization that the minimum conditions for the exercise of municipal functions were compromised led her to the decision to resign.
The resignation, although taken with regret, was seen as the best option to avoid a continued compromise of the public interest, an essential responsibility of local authorities and all Public Administration bodies.
The secretary ended her statement by reiterating her commitment to transparency and responsibility in the exercise of public life.
Statement by the resigning mayor:
In view of the most recent events relating to the context of the executive elected to the Samouco Parish Council, sworn in on October 14, 2021, and to resolve any doubts, rumors or rumors that may be disclosed by third parties, it is considered pertinent to publicly provide This clarification is especially aimed at the population of Samouco, the various local institutions as well as the general public and the media.
In carrying out my duties as executive secretary (as independent) of the Samouco Parish Council, I came across situations, contexts and attitudes of the respective President with which I did not identify at all, and which I felt in good conscience individually and not only as a mayor, but as a citizen who did not see me again nor could I agree with such positions.
Dialogue was unfeasible and because I did not agree with the president’s decisions and actions in the executive, who at a given moment showed himself to be irreducible and deciding in an individualistic attitude, as I was confronted with issues that took place without my knowledge, but which I understood to be in conflict with collision course with the public interest and even with the legality criteria to which it is subject, I was left with no other alternative than to report to the competent authorities the facts that could be subject to negative judgment, for a higher and pertinent assessment and decision.
In view of the context described above, and because, specifically, there are no longer any minimum conditions for the exercise of the municipal functions entrusted to me, having seen me ostensibly limited in the exercise of the concrete responsibilities of my municipal position by decision
of the President and with teamwork being irreversibly compromised, I agree to resign from the mandate entrusted to me as I understand that such resignation would be the best option to, for now, guarantee the continued non-compromise of the public interest whose defense is the responsibility of the
authorities (as well as all Public Administration bodies).
It is, therefore, with regret, but without any burden on my conscience, that I understood, in person, to explain the reasons surrounding my resignation from the municipal mandate that was democratically conferred on me, as of May 2, 2024.
I believe that transparency and honesty in intellectual and legal terms should guide the conduct of all those who undertake functions of public importance and who, democratically elected, have the duty to respect those who elected them and respect the norms and legal principles of a Rule of Law Democratic of which they are legitimate representatives.
During the Parish Assembly held on April 30th of this year (after postponement) I had the opportunity, in a timely manner and out of respect for the Parish Assembly, the Parishes and the Portuguese State, to clarify, albeit briefly, about my resignation mandate and the reasons underlying them.
Having become aware of rumors and personal attacks directed at me and even close family members, I leave a public note of vehement protest and rejection of such actions, maintaining my stance in accordance with my values, oriented towards exempting myself from fueling controversy. Furthermore, each person is free to act in accordance with their conscience.
Well done!
Clara Sofia Vila Cova
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