New Lisbon mayor sworn in to replace Antonio Costa

Economist Fernando Medina was sworn in as Lisbon's new mayor on Monday following the resignation of Socialist mayor Antonio Costa last week.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I take office with energy, with good will and with determination to do everything necessary to serve Lisbon," Medina told the audience at the swearing-in ceremony, which took place this evening at the Noble Room of Pacos de Concelho in Lisbon.

"I do this with a lot of joy but also with profound humility, before the responsibility and complexity of the position. Humility facing the challenges ahead but also humility for succeeding such a remarkable president in the life of our city."

Medina, 42, who has been deputy mayor of Lisbon since 2013, added that the council had the duty to "do more" for the city, in what concerns employment, the public space and public housing.

"Now that we have a tidy house and have a new vision of the city, we have the duty to do more and better. It is time for new ambition," Medina said.

Medina also praised Costa, the Socialist Party's leader, for bringing a "new vision" to Lisbon and for managing to "mobilize citizens."

And he said the council had become more transparent, with Costa managing to overcome a "profound institutional and financial crisis."

Antonio Costa, 53, stepped down last Wednesday to fight the parliamentary elections this autumn and expects to succeed center-right Prime Minister Pedro Passsos Coelho.

"It is my duty to focus now, as I did eight years ago, with the same spirit of service, energy and determination, to serve Portugal and the Portuguese," Costa said last week after he resigned, adding that the council would be "left in good hands."

Costa was elected Lisbon mayor in 2007 and was installed by the Socialist Party as its prime ministerial candidate last year.

The Socialists are ahead of the center-right ruling party, according to voting polls, as they maintain a strong anti-austerity stance.

The ruling party insists that reforms, which were implemented under the country's 78 billion euro bailout program the country ended last year, are the only way forward to put the country's economy back on track.

Medina pointed out that his priorities include defending "social rights," to "value various facets of culture" and to promote "better public services," adding that he would go ahead despite any difficulties.

The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including tow former presidents, Mario Soares and Jorge Sampaio. Endit