Bruno Mascarenhas, who was publicly urged by MP Rita Matias to resign as a Lisbon city councillor following RTP reports regarding Mafalda Guerra Livermore—whom he appointed as administrator of the municipality's Social Services—not only refuses to step down but intends to run for the party's Lisbon district leadership. According to DN, Mascarenhas is currently reaching out to members to present his candidacy for the structure, currently led by MP Pedro Pessanha, dismissing the theory held by some Chega officials that Rita Matias's appeal signals a rift with André Ventura. The councillor, who led the party's list in the 2025 local elections, is preparing to present 'out-of-the-box' proposals for the capital's environment and green spaces. Despite Mascarenhas ruling out resignation or becoming an independent councillor, some within the party argue that his connection to Mafalda Guerra Livermore and the public call from a prominent party figure make his position untenable. On Tuesday, Chega's coordinator in the Lisbon Municipal Assembly, Luís Nunes, distanced the party from Mascarenhas, stating that the municipal group does not endorse his actions and was not consulted on his appointments to municipal company boards. Meanwhile, Mafalda Guerra Livermore claimed in a CMTV interview that she is being persecuted and alleged she discovered a 'financial hole' in the Social Services, denying she was dismissed by Mayor Carlos Moedas.