Antônio Cotrim / Lusa
In the case of councilors without portfolio, the law provides that they can accumulate both positions, receiving R$92 in the largest municipalities and R$67 in municipalities with less than 10 thousand voters.
Almost two months after the October municipal elections, at least 43 of the 230 deputies who were part of the Legislative Assembly plenary ran for president of municipal councils. Only two ended up winning and assuming roles as presidents: Ricardo Araújofrom the PSD, in Guimarães, and Rui Cristinafrom Chega, in Albufeira. Both ended their parliamentary mandate when they took office as mayors.
Despite the high number of candidacies, the majority of deputies returned to Parliament or remained in office through solutions provided for by law. Currently, there are 28 deputies who accumulate parliamentary mandate with the position of municipal councilor, in cases where the municipal function does not imply exclusive dedication or permanent remuneration, says .
One of the most debated situations is that of Andreia Bernardoelected councilor and vice-president of the Sintra Chamber. The social democrat suspended her mandate in the Assembly of the Republic since the beginning of November, but did not definitively resign her seat as deputy. The law prevents accumulation between the position of deputy and that of president or vice-mayor, only allowing the suspension of the parliamentary mandate for a maximum of six months per legislative session. In April, Andréia Bernardo will have to choose between returning to Parliament or definitively abandoning the mandate.
The situation differs in the case of councilors without portfolios or without a full-time regime. These can maintain the parliamentary mandatereceiving only attendance tickets at council meetings. In 2025, these values will vary between 92 euros, in the largest municipalities, and 67 euros in municipalities with less than 10 thousand voters.
Chega stands out as the party with the largest number of deputies involved in municipal elections. Of the 33 parliamentarians running for mayor, only Rui Cristina won, but 20 were elected councilors. With the exception of Gabriel Mithá Ribeiro, who left Parliament after an internal conflict with André Ventura, the rest remain as opposition deputies and councilors.
The left-wing parties chose not to present deputies as municipal candidates. The PS established this orientation under the leadership of Pedro Nuno Santos, removing names such as Alexandra Leitão and Ana Mendes Godinho from the parliamentary lists.
