Cristóvão Norte leads unique coalition in Portugal

During his career, he claims to be an advocate of the region’s interests, describing himself as a leader capable of uniting different political currents.

A deputy for several terms, Cristóvão Norte held positions such as Vice-President of the PSD Parliamentary Group and coordinator of the Economy, Public Works, and Housing Committee. He also served on the Maritime Affairs Committee and has been one of the advocates for the construction of the Central Hospital of Algarve, leading the petition that gathered over 20,000 signatures. This project remains one of his major priorities.

Currently, he is President of the Faro Municipal Assembly, President of PSD Algarve, and a National Counsellor of the party.

For the October 12, 2025, municipal elections, Cristóvão Norte leads a coalition that brings together parties from the centre-right: PSD, CDS, and Liberal Initiative (IL). As well as left-wing parties like People-Animals-Nature (PAN) and the Earth Party (MPT), alongside independents. The alliance promises to ensure a plurality of voices and a strong commitment to local realities, fostering a collaborative environment to address the region’s needs.

Among his key achievements is the approval of the law that criminalises animal abuse, a historic milestone recognising animals as beings deserving protection.

With a vision for the Algarve that combines innovation and growth with preservation of regional identity, Cristóvão Norte aims for balanced development. His strategy includes creating more green spaces, promoting soft mobility, and strengthening infrastructure, ensuring economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental sustainability and respect for local heritage.

TPN: Why are you applying for the presidency of Faro?

CN: I am applying for a sense of duty, this is my city, my council, I live and breathe this city, its corners, the best and worst things, and I feel that I can bring anything else to this city, this council.

I have energy, I have ambition, I have motivation, I am going to have a great team around me, and I think Faro and Algarve need to have national influence, and I think we can honestly say that we have national influence. We have to solve the problems that are within the competence of the municipality, but we also have to solve the problems that are not within the competence of the municipality.

Faro needs a new hospital that gives dignity to people, offering a family doctor for everyone, to increase social responses, to change the pattern of economic and social development of the region, which is almost exclusively anchored in tourism, and to make the qualification of this extraordinary Ribeirinha area, and to put all public services to work decently.

TPN: What sets your candidacy apart from the others?

CN: I wouldn’t say that my willingness to solve problems is what sets me apart, as I believe every candidate shares that goal. What truly distinguishes me are the values I stand by - coherence, ethics, integrity, and honoring commitments with full transparency. My political work is always guided by these principles, whether in public office or in relationships with others.

My political project is based on an integrated and progressive vision: it starts at the heart of Faro, with daily and close attention to its streets, neighborhoods, and five parishes, ensuring every community is heard and respected. From there, this strong connection extends across the municipality and the Algarve district, where I believe uniting the various local authorities under a single voice is essential to gain greater influence and relevance at the national level.

This local and regional foundation also supports a broader projection beyond Portugal’s borders, recognising the importance of international dynamics in shaping the best strategies for sustainable and innovative development in our region. It is this connection between the local and the global, between Faro and the world, that distinguishes our candidacy and strengthens our commitment to the people.

Ultimately, the goal is to earn the trust and support of the population to implement real, lasting change - always with transparency and a holistic vision that links all these levels of action.

TPN: You are running in a coalition with five different parties, is there not a risk of being accused of ideological conflict?

CN: There is a risk of being accused of having too many people next to me. Having a coalition that brings together five parties that never came together is the best compliment someone can give me. Those five parties thought that I would be the greatest candidate to be the President of the City Council.

TPN: Why did you decide to get together?

CN: I did not decide; they decided. You have to ask them.

TPN: How can this coalition benefit the municipality?

CN: It is beneficial because it showcases a strong candidature, meaning that political parties are able to distance their differences, focusing on a greater good and agree on who should lead them. That means that, abdicating some of our ideas to compromise and dialogue with each other, whoever is going to lead this project obviously has some characteristics that allow everyone to work together.

We put together what had never been put together in Portugal. Therefore, people from Faro can trust that we will do what no one has ever done before.

TPN: What are the concrete plans to improve living conditions in Faro?

CN: First and foremost, we want to secure more resources for the municipality without increasing taxes. We will appeal to social responsibility, especially from institutions like Faro Airport, which is located in the parish of Montenegro, generating significant revenue but still not contributing enough to the issues we are addressing.

We also need to invest in several areas of the municipality, including the parish of Montenegro, with improvements in land management, parking, and road maintenance. Another crucial point is the rehabilitation of public spaces. We want Faro’s public spaces to be like our own homes: if there’s a pothole, we fix it; if a street needs upgrading, we upgrade it; if there are safety concerns, we enhance lighting or increase police presence.

Furthermore, we aim to restore the city’s relationship with the Ria Formosa and also with the Campina region. Faro exists thanks to these two fundamental elements, and it is essential that we reconnect with them, valuing this unique environmental heritage that is also a source of quality of life for all residents of the municipality.

This work of enhancement and recovery is not limited to the city center but covers the entire municipality because we know Faro is only strong when all its parishes thrive and are united under a common vision for a sustainable and innovative future.

TPN: What are the plans for the foreign population?

CN: We want them! We are a city that has had several vicissitudes.

Faro used to have a mosque. It was occupied by the Romans. It is a city that gave the world figures like Bartolomeu Dias, who crossed the Cape of Good Hope. A city where Cristóvão Colombo returned when he was on his way to Spain, and then discovered America. Faro has always been a plural city. Being a plural city, this does not mean that there is no identity heritage here, rules obviously, with tolerance.

We want everyone who lives in Faro to live well. Everyone who lives in Faro must feel that they are part of Faro. This requires that we take measures to strengthen these integration mechanisms, but it also requires that whoever comes wants to participate in the social and economic life of the community.

TPN: What could you say to bring people to get the foreign population to vote in local elections?

CN: Their participation is very important, because they will feel the impact of the measures that I am going to take. It makes perfect sense that they have the right to vote.

Now, believe that I can be a good president and vote for me.

Currently, the Deputy Editor at The Portugal News, Bruno G. Santos, is really interested in national politics. With a degree in Journalism and Communication, he also loves to write about different topics like Portuguese culture, society and other current affairs. Press card: 8463.