Experts call for broad consensus on Social Security reform

Wednesday, 19 August 2026AI summary

🏛️ Government 💶 Finance #social-security #government-policy #pension-reform

Experts call for broad consensus on Social Security reform — Photo: ECO

A government-commissioned working group has released a report on the sustainability of the Social Security system, recommending the removal of pension update brackets and warning that current rules encourage income under-reporting. While the Iniciativa Liberal (IL) party argues the findings confirm the need for immediate structural reform, the PS has criticized the report as biased, and the Confederation of Portuguese Business (CIP) has called for a debate free from ideological constraints.

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.

CIP is the Confederation of Portuguese Business (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal), the main employers’ association that represents companies and sector groups in Portugal. It lobbies government on economic and labour policy and its statements are watched by investors, employers and workers when debates arise over funding rules and labour reforms.