Funchal Municipal Council member Jorge Afonso Freitas has clarified, via a statement, that no formal agreement has been signed with Chega Madeira. He guarantees he will continue as an independent councilor as long as his technical and intellectual autonomy is not compromised.
Freitas confirmed that discussions took place and a "verbal understanding" was reached regarding a potential political alignment, but stressed that it was not put into writing. His reservations stem from the relationship with the party's regional structure concerning municipal affairs.
The councilor cited approximately 30 years of experience in municipal administration and refuses to become a Chega councilor and lose his intellectual and technical independence. He stated, "I will not go from an independent councilor to a Chega councilor to lose my intellectual and technical independence," leaving the formalization of the understanding pending.
