Stephen Hugman is 72 years old, originally from the United Kingdom, but has lived in Monchique for over 30 years, an Algarve municipality where he served on the Municipal Assembly between 2009 and 2021, elected as an independent by the PSD.

He is running for mayor of Monchique for the first time, running as an independent on the CDU list.

A consultant in the areas of water, sanitation, and institutional development, Stephen Hugman also has a history of involvement in local associations.

In a written note sent to the Lusa news agency, Hugman listed as some of the municipality's priorities "the construction of a new Health Centre and the provision of a family doctor for all residents."

In the area of ​​education, he advocates for the promotion of vocational training courses appropriate for the municipality's economy and the diversification of educational activities offered by the city government.

Protecting the forest, "with a focus on fire prevention and reforestation with native, weather-resistant species," is another measure recommended by the candidate.

Stephen Hugman's opponents in the Monchique City Council race are the socialist Paulo Alves, the current mayor, Fábio Ferreira (Chega), and João Miguel Silva (PSD/CDS-PP).

The municipality of Monchique has an area of ​​395.26 square kilometers, mostly agricultural and forestry land, and a population of 5,337 (INE data from 2024). It is subdivided into three parishes: Monchique, Alferce, and Marmelete.

In the Algarve, the PS leads 12 of the 16 municipalities in the Faro district, with three led by the PSD and one by the CDU.

Municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.