IL: support in the second round still undecided. 'Procedures are on the table,' says Mariana Leitão
Mariana Leitão says that IL has not yet decided whether to support a candidate in the second round and that procedural options are under consideration.
Mariana Leitão cautious in analysing the results
Mariana Leitão still wants to wait for the final results. The leader of Iniciativa Liberal is cautious and opts to point out that there are no definitive results yet.
'There is no complaint against me', says Cotrim de Figueiredo
The former leader of Iniciativa Liberal insists that 'there is no report, allegation or complaint' against him and points the finger at the media: 'Do you realise what you have done to my life?'
Cotrim confronts media as accusations rock campaign
A former parliamentary aide to Iniciativa Liberal said she reported alleged sexual harassment by João Cotrim de Figueiredo in 2023 and that an Instagram post about the allegation was shared without her consent; she says the veracity of the facts will be decided in court. The party (IL) denies receiving any internal complaint and Cotrim says he was unaware of accusations and will file a criminal complaint; coverage is split across outlets and includes direct statements from the parties involved. The story is unfolding during the presidential campaign and may influence voter perceptions and media attention in the coming days. Those following the election and campaign developments should watch for legal filings and party responses.
Update: In new coverage Cotrim publicly confronted journalists at a campaign event — saying “Do you have any idea what you have done to my life?” — and again denied prior knowledge of the alleged complaint; several outlets report he plans to lodge a criminal complaint over the dissemination of the story. Observers note continued disagreement between the former aide’s account and IL’s statement that no internal complaint was received, keeping legal action and party responses as the likely next steps.
- 2026 Presidential Candidate
- Party: Liberal Initiative (IL) Iniciativa Liberal
- Businessman from Lisbon
- Economic Liberalism, reduced state intervention, pro-Europe
João Fernando Cotrim de Figueiredo (born June 24, 1961, in Lisbon) is a businessman and liberal politician running for Portugal's presidency in the January 18, 2026 election. He grew up in Lisbon, studied Economics at the London School of Economics and earned an MBA from NOVA University Lisbon. He held executive positions at Compal, Nutricafés, Privado Holding, and TVI, and served as president of Turismo de Portugal (2013-2016), overseeing tourism industry growth during his tenure. He was elected as the Liberal Initiative's first parliamentary deputy in October 2019, led the party (2019-2023) while it grew from 1 to 8 seats with 5% of votes in 2022, and was elected European Parliament member in 2024. He announced his presidential candidacy in August 2025, backed by the Liberal Initiative.
Political Philosophy:
Cotrim de Figueiredo champions liberal economics—tax reduction, labour market liberalization, and welfare reform—alongside cultural and secular liberalism. His campaign emphasizes "Culture, Knowledge and Growth," positioning himself as representing younger voters alienated by traditional candidates, and explicitly states he expects a "second-round" runoff result. He advocates for a future-prepared Portugal distinct from current political offerings.
- 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.
Iniciativa Liberal and João Cotrim de Figueiredo tend to draw support from urban, economically liberal voters — often professionals, entrepreneurs and higher‑income residents in cities like Lisbon and Porto — who prioritise lower taxes, deregulation and individual freedoms. The party also attracts some younger voters and expatriates who favour pro‑market policies and a smaller state role.
Former IL adviser who accuses Cotrim of harassment says 'the facts were reported internally during 2023'
Inês Bichão says the publication was circulated without her consent.
Cotrim admits he was 'quite unfortunate' to say he would not rule out supporting any candidate
The former leader of IL said that the only thing he should have said, and what he really thinks, is that he only accepts a run-off scenario in which he is involved.
From an outstanding academic career to the Secretary of State for Communities: who is Inês Bichão, the woman accusing Cotrim of sexual harassment?
In secondary school she even ran a newspaper. She earned a Law degree, completed several postgraduate qualifications and master's degrees, and has published books. She was an adviser for IL in Parliament and currently works in the office of Secretary of State Emídio Sousa.
Cotrim points to Government links of the former aide who accuses him
The candidate backed by IL rejects 'using conspiracy theories', but emphasises that the former aide who accuses him of harassment has links to the Government. He says a defamation complaint will be filed before the campaign ends.
"Populism and radicalism have come together." Marques Mendes asks for liberals' votes after Cotrim's setback
Marques Mendes appealed on Tuesday for tactical voting in next Sunday’s presidential election and said he was willing to attract voters from Iniciativa Liberal (IL), following statements made the day before by João Cotrim de Figueiredo, who did not rule out possible support for André Ventura in a second round. Questioned by journalists in Fátima about whether ...
Marques Mendes: "The risk to democracy exists at the moment when liberals and people from Chega associate"
“From the moment the Iniciativa Liberal candidacy, in a deeply regrettable contradiction, decided to associate with Chega, many people who are moderate were understandably disappointed,” says presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes.
Cotrim admits he was "quite unfortunate" to say he did not rule out supporting any candidate
The former leader of IL said the only thing he should have said — and what he truly believes — is that he would only accept a second-round scenario in which he himself is a candidate.
André Ventura says IL is a Left Bloc in disguise
The Chega candidate says he takes Cotrim's potential support in the second round “in his stride”.
"A vote for IL is a wasted vote," says Marques Mendes
The AD candidate says Cotrim de Figueiredo 'has conceded he will lose' after admitting he would back Ventura in the second round.
In Defence of João Cotrim Figueiredo
João Cotrim de Figueiredo and Iniciativa Liberal have always been clear about the existence of red lines in relation to Chega.
Cotrim de Figueiredo's statement about Ventura is very serious
CNN Portugal commentator Mafalda Anjos says this Monday was “a horrible day” for João Cotrim de Figueiredo because of his remarks about a possible backing for André Ventura and an allegation of harassment by a former adviser to Iniciativa Liberal.
Cotrim de Figueiredo feels politically close to André Ventura
CNN Portugal commentator Bernardino Soares says the candidate supported by Iniciativa Liberal is not very different from the leader of Chega.
The harassment allegation and second-round scenarios: the day that shook Cotrim's campaign
João Cotrim de Figueiredo’s campaign, which had been gaining momentum, suffered a serious setback after a strategic misstep on second-round strategy and the resurfacing of a harassment allegation on social media. By not ruling out support for Ventura, Cotrim exposed himself to attacks and fractured the narrative of steady progress; the harassment allegation — reportedly known within Iniciativa Liberal for two years — compounded the damage and prompted him to decry ‘low‑level’ and ‘dirty’ politics. The episode shifted the campaign’s focus onto Cotrim personally, energised opponents and risked undoing recent gains as rivals consolidated backing ahead of a possible second round.
Cotrim de Figueiredo, o "catalisador" com "queda" para a rua
Iniciativa Liberal’s presidential candidate, Cotrim de Figueiredo, is portrayed as a ‘catalyst’ — a figure who can accelerate political change without being consumed by it. PSD veteran José Miguel Júdice argues the candidate’s street‑level campaigning and outsider manner give him the potential to galvanise voters and disrupt the centre‑right landscape. The profile examines how that activist style and the backing from liberal and PSD circles could help him broaden appeal, while flagging the risks: limited governing experience, questions about coalition durability and whether street politics can translate into institutional influence.