Liberal Initiative demands 30-cent fuel tax reduction

Saturday, 19 September 2026AI summary

🏛️ Government 💶 Finance #government-policy #expat-finances #cost-of-living

Liberal Initiative demands 30-cent fuel tax reduction — Photo: Diário de Notícias

Mariana Leitão, leader of the Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal or IL), has demanded that the government implement a 30-cent per litre reduction in fuel prices. Leitão criticized the state for failing to reduce its own spending while continuing to tax citizens, arguing that the government is ignoring a proposal already approved by parliament.

Context & Explainers

Mariana Leitão is the president of the Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal), a liberal political party in Portugal. She is presenting a policy document titled "Lift Portugal - Build Now, Conquer the Future" to the prime minister, and her proposals could affect economic and regulatory reforms that residents and businesses should watch.

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.