CDS-PP Councilor Leandro Silva Admits 1.99 g/L Alcohol Level After New Year’s Accident
A local councilor from the CDS-PP party in Funchal admitted on January 1, 2026, that he was driving under the influence of alcohol when he struck a pedestrian in the city center.
In a public statement, Leandro Silva confirmed that police measured his blood alcohol level at a staggering 1.99 grams per liter (0.199% blood alcohol level) after the incident. Silva stated he cooperated fully with officers from the Public Security Police.
The admission came hours after the accident, which followed New Year’s celebrations and quickly became a subject of public attention in Madeira.
Pedestrian Hit on Rua do Carmo Taken to Hospital, Local Media Reports
The accident took place on Rua do Carmo in Funchal. According to local reporting, the victim is a 58-year-old man who was taken to the emergency department for medical treatment. No official update on his condition was released until now
Silva said he stopped immediately after the collision and assisted the injured man until emergency services arrived. The case is now part of a police investigation, as required under Portuguese law in accidents involving alcohol.
Statement Says Councilor Asked for Mandate Suspension
In his written statement, Silva said he had formally requested the suspension of his mandate as a city councilor. He argued that, as an elected official, he had a duty to explain his actions and accept responsibility. His statement:
First of all, I offer my sincere apologies to the person who was struck, whom I assisted immediately after the accident, and I hope for a swift recovery. I also apologize to the injured man’s family, to whom I promise the necessary support. I apologize to all citizens because I made a serious mistake by driving under the influence of alcohol when I should have been among the first to set an example by not doing so. I apologize to the Mayor and to the President of the CDS, as my conduct, which I deeply regret, does not honor the institutions I have always sought to serve with integrity and honesty. I know that my behavior is blameworthy and I accept all responsibilities arising from this serious act. Under these circumstances, I formally requested today the suspension of my mandate as a councilor at Funchal City Council. I regret what happened, I want to be judged and to pay for what I did, and I promise that such behavior will not be repeated.
Leandro Silva, Diário de NotĂcias Madeira
The request for suspension was submitted the same day as the accident, according to the statement.
What Will be The Consequences?
Medical and road safety research classifies 1.99 g/L as a level where safe driving is impossible. In many European countries, driving with this amount of alcohol is treated as a serious criminal offense, not a minor violation, so it is in Portugal when driving with 1.2 g/L or more is considered a criminal offense. If a person is injured and taken to hospital, the driver may face
criminal charges
fines or prison
a driving ban
civil compensation
insurance claims.
For public officials, political consequences often follow.
Source: Diário de NotĂcias Madeira
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