30 September of 2025
Local elections 2025 – Interview with Luís Barroso, ‘Lagos Com Futuro’ candidate for mayor: “We intend to reconvert Praça do Infante, through an ideas competition open to citizen participation”
“We want cleaner beaches and the recovery of the blue flags that were lost, definitively resolving the problem of untreated water affecting the Ribeira de Bensafrim”
“We want, yet, revitalize the old GNR facilities, transforming them into a Higher School of Arts, that values creativity and attracts talent to our municipality. In urban space, We are committed to creating more green areas and a project inspired by the “Mais Verde” association, which will promote sustainability and quality of life.”
“Without motivated workers, valued and aligned with the municipality’s mission, no executive can achieve true success. Just with everyone rowing in the same direction, with pride in “wearing the shirt” of the Municipality of Lagos, it will be possible to build a stronger Chamber, efficient and close to citizens.”
“Lagos deserves to be a safe municipality, where everyone can live, work and walk without fear. And it is with the strength of the population, with political courage and committed municipal management, that we will push for security to once again be an unshakable pillar of our city.”
‘Litoralgarve’ sent, by 'email', two questionnaires for each of the candidates for the presidency of the Lagos City Council, whose election will take place the next day 12 October. First to respond, in writing, It was Luís Barroso, manager, of 66 years, leader of the “Lagos Com Futuro” coalition, what, beyond this civic movement, integrates ‘PAN – People, Animals, Nature’ and the party ‘We, Citizens!’.
In this interview, the candidate highlights some of the main gaps that he believes exist in the municipality, praises the president of the municipal executive, Hugo Pereira, in managing the ‘Covid-19’ pandemic process, and points out priorities for the future of Lagos. Get to know how the Chamber works and its leadership, and motivate municipality workers, will be part of your first bet if you manage to come to power in the city of Discoveries.
Paulo Silva
José Manuel Oliveira
Litoralgarve – What is the first measure you will take if you are elected president of Lagos City Council, in October of 2025? And why?
Luís Barroso – The first step will be to carry out an in-depth diagnosis of the functioning of the City Council, analyzing your organization chart and getting to know your managers. However, more than understanding structures or processes, The essential thing is to know people. We want to interact with Chamber workers in general.
In any organization – whether large or small – human resources are the heart of the institution. They are the ones who bring ideas to life, that transform projects into reality and that represent, not day-to-day, the image of the municipality in the community.
No motivated workers, valued and aligned with the municipality’s mission, no executive can achieve true success. Just with everyone rowing in the same direction, with pride in “wearing the shirt” of the Municipality of Lagos, it will be possible to build a stronger Chamber, efficient and close to citizens.
“We want to attract companies specialized in modular construction, substantially reducing housing costs, whether for rent, whether for acquisition, offering fair and affordable prices, far below the current values practiced in Lagos. We will try to attract housing cooperatives to come and develop their activity in our municipality.”
Litoralgarve – In the next four years of office, what are your top priorities? What guarantees the population of the municipality that it will achieve?
Luís Barroso – Achieving our goals involves, inevitably, for rigorous and sustainable management of the municipal budget. In recent years, the Chamber's budget has exceeded the 100 million euros annually, fruit of good tax collection, which allows us to aim for more and better for Lagos if we continue with identical budget levels in the next 4 years. In order for us to fulfill, we will have to have the appropriate financial conditions.
There are many priorities, because the previous administration left significant gaps in fundamental areas: urban cleaning, heritage conservation, boosting municipal housing construction. We want to attract companies specialized in modular construction, substantially reducing housing costs, whether for rent, whether for acquisition, offering fair and affordable prices, far below the current values practiced in Lagos. We will try to attract housing cooperatives to come and develop their activity in our municipality.
We have emblematic projects that mark a vision of the future. We intend to reconvert Praça do Infante, through an ideas competition open to citizen participation, to return dignity and centrality to this historic space, repositioning the figure of Infante Dom Henrique in the heart of the Square.
We want, yet, revitalize the old GNR facilities, transforming them into a Higher School of Arts, that values creativity and attracts talent to our municipality. In urban space, We are committed to creating more green areas and a project inspired by the “Mais Verde” association, that will promote sustainability and quality of life.
Another priority axis will be the environment: We want cleaner beaches and the recovery of lost blue flags, definitively resolving the problem of untreated water affecting the Ribeira de Bensafrim.
These are just some of our priorities. There is much more to achieve in the mandate of 2025-2029, and we invite everyone to get to know, in summary, our proposals on the website lagos-com-futuro.pt/programa-
electoral-2025. Shortly, we will present our complete electoral program, where the future we want to build for Lagos will become even clearer: a cleaner future, fairer, more sustainable and truly at the service of people.
“When the population feels afraid to go out on the streets or realizes that crime linked to drug trafficking is increasing, we all become more fragile as a community. This is a serious problem, that erodes people's trust and compromises the quality of life in La
“The Municipality, despite not having direct skills in the police field, can and should take a firm stance. We will be alongside the population, demanding concrete measures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the competent authorities: more specialized agents, more patrolling and greater proximity between police and citizens.”
“We want to develop municipal awareness programs, social support and community integration, especially for younger people, who are often enticed by these criminal networks. Our vision is clear: attack the problem at the root, creating alternatives for the future that divert people – especially young people – from the hands of trafficking.”
Litoralgarve – The wave of robberies associated with drug trafficking is one of the main concerns of the population of Lagos, who fears the situation will worsen during the winter. How do you plan to combat these problems??
Luís Barroso – The safety of our citizens is an absolute priority. When the population feels afraid to go out on the streets or realizes that crime linked to drug trafficking is increasing, we all become more fragile as a community. This is a serious problem, which erodes people's trust and compromises the quality of life in Lagos.
Drug trafficking is a scourge that needs to be tackled in a determined way. It cannot continue to be tolerated, not even in Lagos, nor in any part of the country. It's a complex reality, that requires specialized intervention, and that is why we defend an effective reinforcement of security forces, with more human and technical resources, able to face this problem directly and effectively.
The Municipality, despite not having direct skills in the police field, can and should take a firm stance. We will be alongside the population, demanding concrete measures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the competent authorities: more specialized agents, more patrols and greater proximity between police and citizens.
But we won't just stop at the claim. We believe that prevention is as important as repression. That's why, We want to develop municipal awareness programs, social support and community integration, especially for younger people, who are often enticed by these criminal networks. Our vision is clear: attack the problem at the root, creating alternative futures that divert people – especially young people – from the hands of trafficking.
Lagos deserves to be a safe municipality, where everyone can live, work and walk without fear. And it is with the strength of the population, with political courage and committed municipal management, that we will push for security to once again be an unshakable pillar of our city.
“Lagos with Future” means precisely this: restore peace of mind, trust and hope to all who live here.
“Lagos needs labor in several sectors and immigrants have played a decisive role in responding to this shortage. It's fair to recognize it. However, It is also true that there are cases where certain behaviors do not align with our societal values., putting the safety and harmony of the community at risk.”
Litoralgarve – What assessment do you make about immigration in Lagos?
Luís Barroso – Immigration is, today, an unavoidable reality in Lagos and, as in any Portuguese municipality, brings with it challenges and opportunities. We cannot ignore the problems that result from the lack of planning and control when entering the country, but we also cannot forget that many immigrants are fundamental to the functioning of our economy and the growth of our city.
I am in favor of immigration when it translates into integration, decent work, families who find a future here and who contribute to collective well-being. Lagos needs labor in several sectors and immigrants have played a decisive role in responding to this shortage. It's fair to recognize it.
However, It is also true that there are cases where certain behaviors do not align with our societal values., jeopardizing the safety and harmony of the community. For these situations, greater rigor in control and intelligent management of inputs is necessary, ensuring that we welcome those who come to work and live peacefully, but that the proliferation of situations of marginality is not allowed.
We believe that the most effective way to manage immigration is to plan clearly: identify the real labor needs of our companies and sectors of activity and, from there, articulate policies that allow us to welcome those we want and need, avoiding excessive situations that can generate social exclusion and even deviant behavior.
In «Lagos with a Future», we want a safe city, inclusive and fair, who knows how to welcome those who come to add, but also protects our community, our values and the quality of life of everyone who lives here. The balance between integration, respect and order will always be our priority.
“I want to make it clear that I have nothing against Dr.. Hugo Pereira. What I criticize is not the man, but rather its political management, which I find deeply unsatisfactory.”
“Over four years, the feeling is that little or nothing has been done, and now, at the end of the term, we witness a hurried race to show work, as if it were possible in a few months to correct years of inaction. This attitude is perceived by the population as an attempt to deceive and distract, and many citizens feel deceived.”
“The most positive point of his mandate was the management of the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, an extended working group was set up to, together, managed to provide a good response to the enormous challenge we faced. This episode demonstrates that teamwork generates results.”
"Unfortunately, outside this context, the president has revealed a tendency to decide alone, without listening or involving, which has translated into bad solutions and bad decisions”
Litoralgarve – How do you evaluate this council mandate, chaired by socialist Hugo Pereira? What positive and negative aspects do you highlight??
Luís Barroso – First of all, I want to make it clear that I have nothing against Dr.. Hugo Pereira. What I criticize is not the man, but rather its political management, which I find deeply unsatisfactory. We last 12 years, and in particular in the last 4, the result was poor and the responsibilities naturally fall on whoever presides over the municipality.
I recognize that the most positive point of your mandate was the management of the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, an extended working group was set up to, together, managed to provide a good response to the enormous challenge we faced. This episode demonstrates that teamwork generates results. Unfortunately, outside this context, the president has revealed a tendency to decide alone, without listening or involving, which has translated into bad solutions and bad decisions.
On the negative side, I highlight the inability to plan and execute. Over four years, the feeling is that little or nothing has been done, and now, at the end of the term, we witness a hurried race to show work, as if it were possible in a few months to correct years of inaction. This attitude is perceived by the population as an attempt to deceive and distract, and many citizens feel deceived.
There is no shortage of concrete examples: the lack of conservation of historical heritage, such as Forte Ponta da Bandeira or Parque Júdice Cabral; failure to fulfill electoral promises made by the PS; the non-construction of car parks in Porto de Mós and Meia Praia; the loss of blue flags without explanation; the degradation of urban cleaning and poor waste collection. These facts are clear signs of poor management and inability to respond to the real needs of the municipality.
What Lagos needs is not last-minute improvisations, but with serious leadership, with vision, planning and execution capacity. We need to give people back confidence, to take care of our heritage, to keep promises and put the city on the path to the future. That's why I say: enough already! Lakes deserves more, Lagos deserves better, Lagos deserves a real future.
“The candidates presented were chosen by the different political forces and therefore deserve my total respect”
Litoralgarve – What do you think of the other candidates for the presidency of Lagos City Council: Hugo Pereira (PS), Gilberto Viegas (AD), Paulo Rosário Dias (He arrives), Alexandre Nunes (CDU) and Maria João Sacadura (BOOK)?
Luís Barroso – The candidates presented were chosen by the different political forces and therefore deserve my total respect. They will be my opponents in the local elections, but I recognize and admire the courage of each person in showing their face and putting themselves at the service of the city and its people.
Democracy is built with debate, diversity of ideas and, above all, with mutual respect. It is in this spirit that I want to be in this election with determination, but also with consideration for all those who, just like me, believe that Lagos always deserves more.
“Political agreements, if they exist, will be established in accordance with the wishes of the winner of the local elections. In the absence of an absolute majority, he must invite representatives of other party forces, in order to ensure a stable majority, guarantee, like this, the approval of essential proposals for the municipality — in particular the budget and accounts. Without the approval of these matters, municipal management becomes significantly more difficult”
Litoralgarve – If there is no absolute majority of a single party or political formation, How do you foresee council management and the coming years in the municipality of Lagos?? It could be a short-term mandate? What political agreements can be established?
Luís Barroso – Political agreements, if they exist, will be established in accordance with the wishes of the winner of the local elections. In the absence of an absolute majority, he must invite representatives of other party forces, in order to ensure a stable majority, guarantee, like this, the approval of essential proposals for the municipality — in particular the budget and accounts. Without the approval of these matters, autarchic management becomes significantly more difficult, although there are also other relevant issues.
“We have competent and committed teams, both in parish councils, like in the City Council, made up of qualified people, but also human and close to the social reality of the population. We're not here for slogans, we are here to serve, act and transform Lagos”
In the final part of this interview, ‘Litoralgarve’ invited the candidate to address any further issues if they so wished. Here is Luís Barroso's answer:
– This interview demonstrates, clearly, that the «Lagos com Futuro» movement has in-depth knowledge of the city’s problems and presents, in your program for the next four years, concrete and feasible solutions to resolve them. Our vision is based on transparent management, responsible and close to people, always based on credible and legal solutions.
We have competent and committed teams, both in parish councils, like in the City Council, made up of qualified people, but also human and close to the social reality of the population. We're not here for slogans, we are here to serve, act and transform Lagos.
I myself bring experience from my professional and personal life: I have a degree in Financial Management, Teacher (MBA) in Business Management, with training in Public Accounting, member of the Order of Certified Accountants, former businessman in numerous companies and manager. Lifelong, I have always been close to people and it is with this naturalness and sense of mission that I present myself as a candidate for President of the Chamber. I have experience of 8 years as a councilor (2013/2021).
My team reflects this same seriousness and dedication: Eng. Ruth Hairstyle, civil engineer with postgraduate degree in Hydraulics, 18 years of experience in the City Council and recognized competence and transparency;
Luís Janeiro, manager, university professor, CEO of large companies in Portugal and abroad, audit specialist, economy and international projects;
Patrícia Sousa, degree in Law, with extensive experience in the banking sector and today a businesswoman;
Amelia Paiva, degree in Human Resources Management, senior chamber technician, experienced in local politics and recognized for her daily work for the animal cause;
In addition to these, independent citizens are also on the list for the City Council, as Márcio Paz, Joana Dias, Rui Soares, Leonor Coelho and Cláudio Oliveira, all united by a common purpose: build a new vision for Lagos.
We are prepared to govern seriously, competence and dedication. After 24 years of the same party, The time has come to give voice to change. Lakes deserves more. Lagos deserves a team that works for people and with people.
That's why, we affirm with confidence and hope: «Lagos com Futuro» is ready to take on leadership of the municipality. Because lakes deserve more.
Former councilor of Lagos City Council for two terms, Luís Barroso has a degree in Financial Management and a Master's degree (MBA) in Business Management. His professional activity is management
In this questionnaire, ‘Litoralgarve’ seeks to draw a self-portrait of the candidates for mayor of Lagos, with personal issues. To these is added the analysis of figures that most admire nationally and internationally, the recent recognition of the State of Palestine by Portugal, and ONU, the opinion on the two terms of the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the ideal figure for the next Head of State, to be elected in January 2026.
Here are Luís Barroso's answers to the questions asked:
Full name: Luís Manuel da Silva Barroso
Date of birth: 13-04-1959
Sign:
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Birthplace: Lagos
Residence:
Party affiliation: None
Political positions he has held (and exercises):
Chamber councilor 2013-2021
Functions held (and has already occupied) in clubs and
associations:
Profession: Manager
Educational qualifications: Degree in Financial Management and
Master's degree (MBA) in Business Management
Other languages you speak: English and French
Sports club of your choice:
How do you spend your free time?:
Where do you usually go on vacation?:
Gastronomy/what is your favorite dish:
Religion:
Its main virtue:
And its main defect:
The national figure you most admire and why?
And at an international level and why?
Portugal is right to recognize the State of Palestine?
Why?
How do you evaluate the two terms of the President of the
Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa?
Who is the ideal figure for the next Head of State, in Portugal, in the elections to be held in January 2026? Why?