João Cotrim de Figueiredo launches 'non-partisan' civic movement

Friday, 23 January 2026RSS
João Cotrim de Figueiredo launches 'non-partisan' civic movement

The statements were made after the candidate backed by the Liberal Initiative came third in the first round of the presidential election.

Context & Explainers

What is the Liberal Initiative (IL) political party?
  • 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.

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