An important call to action to all citizens, residents, and lovers of Lisbon after the funicular railway tragedy

On September 3, 2025, Portugal‘s capital city of Lisbon witnessed a preventable catastrophe. The derailment of the Elevador da Glória funicular railway claimed 16 lives and injured more than 20. But this was no “accident” – it was the direct result of years of austerity, outsourcing, and political choices that put profit above people.

Instead of investing in public safety, maintenance was handed over to private contractors who cut corners to protect their margins. And now, as families mourn, Lisbon’s Mayor, Carlos Moedas, refuses to accept responsibility.

We, the people, demand:

• The resignation of Mayor Carlos Moedas: When lives are lost and public safety is ignored, accountability is not optional. Moedas has failed Lisbon. It is time for a new administration that restores trust, ends outsourcing, and puts people’s safety before corporate profit.
• An end to outsourcing: Lisbon’s buses, municipal services, and public spaces cannot be run by private contractors chasing the lowest bid. Safety and dignity must come first. Within 12 months, all outsourced contracts must be brought back under direct public management – with guarantees for workers’ jobs and conditions.
• A truly independent investigation: No whitewashing, no political cover-ups. We demand an inquiry with international experts and the families of victims at the table. Its conclusions must be binding, with City Hall required to act on its findings within six months.
• Justice and reparations for the victims: Lisbon and Carris must provide full compensation and long-term support to all affected families and survivors. Anything less would be an insult to their loss.
• Radical transparency: Every safety inspection, every contract, every euro spent must be made public — in real time. A permanent online portal must open Lisbon’s public services to the people they belong to.
• Reinvestment in public capacity – with workers’ voices at the centre: Lisbon must rebuild strong public teams with safety committees led by staff and unions. We call for at least 25% more funding for public maintenance in the next two years, paid for by ending outsourcing and fairly taxing tourists, cruises, and short-term rentals.

This is about more than contracts and budgets. It is about the right to live in a city where public safety is sacred, where workers’ voices matter, and where leaders answer to the people – not to profit.

Sign now. Join us in demanding a safer, fairer, truly democratic Lisbon.

Do you want to be informed of DiEM25's actions? Sign up here