After experiencing significant communication challenges during its shared governance with the PSOE since 2019, the Portuense Citizen Assembly (ACP) has now signed a document with the PP and CC to the censure Mayor Marco González. The agreement focuses extensively on press, social media, advertising, and image policies of the new pact. Interestingly, these details come at the forefront of a 25-page document, taking up five pages specifically (from 6 to 10, inclusive) before delving into specific actions in each area.
The pages then proceed to outline the primary goal of the agreement, seen as a “political emergency” for the city, discussing the allocation of areas, mayoralties, procedures of the pact table, and budget approvals up to 2027. Notably, they place significant emphasis on a communication policy right after the signing, which reportedly caused tensions between the PSOE and ACP over the past five years.
This level of detail in these pages indicates a strong focus on a balanced and transparent communication strategy based on shared responsibilities and maximum visibility. They propose the establishment of a “communication commission” comprising temporary staff from each party and the press coordinator appointed by the new mayor, Leopoldo Afonso (PP), with specific functions to be determined collectively. The document clarifies that the coordinator will not have hierarchical authority over the three press officers (one per party), who will manage their respective area’s social media independently, with all communication decisions made through consensus.
The agreement also addresses the use of official council profiles and Telegram, emphasising that the parties must not interfere with the content or visibility of the governing partner. Furthermore, they agree not to utilise municipal platforms for partisan or personal purposes but can utilise their party networks to share information about local governance already distributed by the council’s media.
They also agree on the use of municipal email and stipulate that the communication commission will meet monthly to evaluate metrics or content per area. They commit to responding to residents’ social media comments, with the authority to delete derogatory remarks, and ensure that each council’s communication remains unaltered by external parties unless by unanimous agreement. The agreement mandates a minimum of 25% of press releases from each party weekly, with equal representation on social networks, the municipal website, and its various sections.
Specific Actions in the City and Other Co-Management Agreements
The agreement then details specific government actions, focusing on combating marine pollution, providing resources for contracting, staffing the municipal archive, and addressing labour issues. They also pledge to renew expired concessions, invest in project execution, establish a municipal integration company, relocate the archive, and improve public infrastructure and services.
Additionally, they commit to updating corporation salaries annually based on the CPI, supporting each other’s initiatives, and implementing criteria for wedding ceremonies by councillors. These ceremonies are to be organised collectively on a weekly basis.
