The former Vice President of the House of Gaia and former PS/Gaia leader, who resigned after being detained under Operation Babylon, believed that the lawsuit had shattered his “dream” of taking charge of this autarky.
“In politics, you can never say never, but I believe that my political life is over, this process [Operação Babel] ruined the “Political Sponsorship”, prevented me from fulfilling one of my biggest dreams, being the mayor of Gaia, I hold no grudge or resentment, only sadness” Patroquinio Azevedo said in a letter addressed to the PS / Gaia militants and that Lusa was access to today.
Saying that PS/Gaia is one of the biggest socialist councils, Patrosinio Azevedo, who is awaiting trial in the Custoyas prison in Matosinhos, Porto district, asks the militants to remain “united, united and determined” in order to win in 2025. municipal council and parishes.
Patrosinio Azevedo has been in pre-trial detention as part of Operation Babylon since May 19, following the decision of the Criminal Instruction Court (TIC) of Porto.
Despite being in pre-trial detention, the former vice president did not step down from his mandate immediately, only doing so this Monday.
This core process of Operation Babylon focuses on “violating the rules and regulations of city licensing processes in favor of promoters associated with projects of high density and scale, involving real estate interests in the order of 300 million euros, by offering and accepting monetary rewards. compensation.”
The former vice president asks the socialists of this council to continue the work because there are political conditions to ensure the continuity of the commitment: “Gaia, commitment, present and future.”
Confirming his innocence, the socialist noted that his resignation is not an admission of any guilt in this process, but “the realization that, politically weakened, I cannot and should not weaken PS / Gaia,” he stressed.
And he added: “I am absolutely aware that I will prove my innocence, but this will happen only after many months or years, so even after the trial in the media, where the facts do not matter, it is only important to “condemn”. “politicians and mayors, I am not in a position to lead PS Gaia.”
The former president of the municipality guaranteed that he did nothing that could harm the municipality, did not receive any personal benefit in the disputed licensing process, or any other.
“You can be sure that I never asked for or received any payment to make a decision contrary to official duties and contrary to the public interest,” he stressed.
Gaia Mayor Eduardo Vitor Rodriguez (PS) announced on May 22 at a meeting of the municipal executive that Councilor Marina Mendez, responsible for education and social action, will now hold the vice-presidential position.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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