Former regional deputy Nuno Morna, a founder of the Iniciativa Liberal (IL) party and its Madeira branch, has announced his resignation, describing the party as a 'caricature' inhabited by figures who confuse political projects with personal ladders. Morna cited his disagreement with the regional leadership of Gonçalo Maia Camelo and the party's perceived alignment with the regional PSD as primary reasons for his departure. He also criticized the party's shift away from its original liberal principles and its stance on the Social Mobility Subsidy, while noting that he had previously declined to run for office to avoid being blamed for poor electoral results.
Former Madeiran regional deputy leaves 'caricature' of Iniciativa Liberal
Monday, 13 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
- Leader: Mariana Leitão (since July 2025)
- Ideology: Classical liberalism, economic libertarianism
Founded in 2017, the Liberal Initiative advocates for reduced state intervention, tax simplification, labor market liberalization, and secular liberalism under the motto "Less State, More Freedom". The party gained its first parliamentary seat in 2019 and now holds 9 seats. Mariana Leitão, 42, became the party's first female leader in July 2025 after Rui Rocha resigned following disappointing 2025 election results. Leitão previously served as parliamentary leader and has been announced as the party's candidate for the 2026 presidential election. The party explicitly rejects alliances with both far-left and far-right parties, positioning itself as the "only alternative" that won't negotiate with extremes.
