Francisco Tavares City Council adrift after defeat in the elections of December 1, 2024

Municipal employees report a disconcerting situation, with no idea how to proceed or what to expect at their workplaces. “We are here, but we don’t know what to do. There are no guidelines, no leadership. It’s as if everything has suddenly stopped,” said a source close to the municipality, who preferred to remain anonymous. This lack of direction has affected the normality of services provided to the population, with processes piling up, deadlines not met and tasks left behind.

The situation is even more serious when it comes to cleaning and maintaining the urban environment. Reports indicate that rubbish has started to accumulate on the streets, without the necessary supervision and coordination to ensure its removal. The island, which has always prided itself on a clean and well-maintained environment, is now dealing with a visible deterioration of public spaces, something that has generated frustration among citizens.

Another incident that did not go unnoticed was the absence of Christmas decorations in Eugénio Tavares Square, a traditional symbol of the festive season. The square, which is usually decorated with lights and ornaments at the beginning of December, was forgotten this year. “We always take care to see the square decorated for Christmas. This year, nothing. It seems that even the joy of Christmas has been left aside,” commented a local resident, visibly disappointed with the lack of care by the council.

Francisco Tavares, visibly upset with the choice made by the electorate, who did not elect him for the next four years, has demonstrated a behavior of total disinterest in the management of the council. Visibly displeased and unmotivated, he has left the municipality without the necessary leadership until the new elected team takes office. This behavior goes against the rules established by national legislation, which provides that the elected council team must continue to manage the municipality until the new team takes office.

“It is unacceptable that, after his defeat, the former president chose not to manage the council. The legislation is clear: until the new team is sworn in, management must continue to be ensured by the elected council,” declared an expert in administrative law. The situation has caused outrage in various sectors of society, who see this attitude as a lack of responsibility and commitment to the community.

Tavares’s lack of management also raises questions about his attitude towards the position he held. For many, his decision not to manage the council until the new team arrived is a reflection of disdain for the island and the citizens who previously elected him. “He should have continued working until the last moment, at least to ensure that the island did not drift away,” said one member of the opposition.

The municipality is now eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the newly elected team, which will have the mission of restoring order, resuming public services and ensuring that the municipality returns to normal. The citizens' hopes lie in the newly elected officials, who will have to face a complicated scenario, but which could also serve as an opportunity to rebuild the population's trust in the municipal administration.

Meanwhile, the island remains awaiting leadership to guide it, resolve urgent issues and return its inhabitants to normality. The coming days will be crucial in determining how quickly and effectively the new team can turn the current situation around and return the municipality to its citizens.

MS