Heading to Belém. Will Seguro and Ventura vote for each other?

The week that brought fashion critics into the campaign was dominated by the 'Cotrim cases'. However, there are two candidates who seem to want one another...

RTP Notícias16 Jan

Digital mentions and followers of Cotrim de Figueiredo rise during 'horribilis' week

João Cotrim de Figueiredo's social media accounts saw the number of followers increase by 19.7% — between 12 and 15 January — in the week when first André Ventura's 'rather unfortunate moment' emerged and then the allegation of sexual harassment surfaced, which has already led the candidate to criticise the media...

ECO16 Jan

New footage shows alleged thefts by Miguel Arruda at Lisbon Airport

Recordings from the surveillance cameras will be used as evidence in the trial against the former MP.

Correio da Manhã16 Jan

The Resident Podcast: Today’s News Review with journalist Natasha Donn

In this episode, Natasha discusses her three news picks of the week including the Portugal’s presidential contest where sexual harassment claims are overshadowing proceedings, the recent Orwellian tone of the The post The Resident Podcast: Today’s News Review with journalist Natasha Donn appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Portugal Resident16 Jan

"This case destroyed my political career": Former MP Pinto Moreira on Operation Vórtex

Pinto Moreira reaffirms that he is neither 'corruptible nor susceptible to bribery'. Decision in the 'Vórtex' case is scheduled for 20 March.

Correio da Manhã16 Jan

Former aide accusing Cotrim of sexual harassment says 'veracity of the facts' will be determined by the courts

Inês Bichão says that on Monday, 12 January, content originally shared in a restricted, non-public context 'was illicitly disseminated' without her consent.

Correio da Manhã16 Jan

Former adviser says she complained about Cotrim but Liberal Initiative denies it

Inês Bichão broke her silence to reveal that she received 'threats and attempts at intimidation' after reporting the case.

Correio da Manhã16 Jan

Leitão and Cotrim accuse the media of fuelling controversy over allegations of harassment: "Do you realise what you've done to my life?"

After a campaign event in Santo Tirso, journalists positioned themselves, as always, to hear the candidate, but it was Cotrim de Figueiredo who set the pace of the moment.

RTP Notícias16 Jan

The case left a mark and unsettled Cotrim de Figueiredo. We've moved from a phase of assertion to one of justification

CNN Portugal commentator Rui Calafate asks whether the rise of the candidate backed by IL will be affected by an allegation of harassment made by a former adviser to the Liberals.

CNN Portugal15 Jan

Statement in the morning, reaction shortly afterwards: an issue troubling Cotrim de Figueiredo

On the penultimate day, the alleged sexual harassment case once again marked João Cotrim de Figueiredo's campaign. In the morning, a former adviser to Iniciativa Liberal issued a statement saying the incidents were reported to the party in 2023. The candidate says he is deeply upset by the matter and claims he is the victim of a character assassination with the complicity of journalists.

CNN Portugal15 Jan

Former IL president Rui Rocha insists he never received any complaint against Cotrim

Former Iniciativa Liberal president Rui Rocha said today that he never received any complaint against João Cotrim Figueiredo, who is being accused of sexual harassment by a former parliamentary aide to the party.

RTP Notícias15 Jan

Cotrim blames the media over alleged harassment case

Cotrim de Figueiredo says he is the target of a 'character assassination'. According to the presidential candidate, 'the fault lies with the media.'

RTP Notícias15 Jan

Exclusive. MP's crimes in living colour: TVI and CNN Portugal reveal all the footage that trapped Miguel Arruda

This is the crucial evidence in the trial in which the former Chega MP is accused of 21 counts of aggravated theft, in a case in which his wife is charged with receiving stolen goods.

CNN Portugal15 Jan

Rui Rocha assures he never received any complaint against Cotrim

The former president of Iniciativa Liberal, Rui Rocha, said on Thursday that he never received any complaint against João Cotrim Figueiredo, who is being accused of sexual harassment by a former parliamentary aide of the party. “The accusations that have been discussed in recent days are apparently attributed to the period when I was president of Iniciativa Liberal. ...

ECO15 Jan

19:00. Cotrim: Press complicit in "character assassination"

This concerns an allegation of harassment of which he is the subject. Also in this bulletin, the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party calls for votes for António José Seguro. And candidate Jorge Pinto also opens the door to voting for Seguro.

Observador15 Jan

"Há um padrão em Cotrim de Figueiredo que não tem só que ver com esta denúncia de assédio sexual"

CNN Portugal15 Jan

Gouveia e Melo accuses Ventura of disrespecting the Armed Forces by wearing military camouflage

Presidential candidate Gouveia e Melo said today that André Ventura had “crossed the line” by wearing military camouflage, noted that the Chega leader did not even complete compulsory military service, and said he had shown disrespect to the Armed Forces.

RTP Notícias15 Jan

A shadow hangs over Cotrim. What effects on rival campaigns?

A dark cloud continues to hang over Cotrim. Mendes ironises the letter to Montenegro. Ventura dramatises the vote and Seguro rejects extremism — ingredients for a murky brew.

Observador15 Jan

'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?'

RTP Notícias15 Jan

Cotrim confronts media as accusations rock campaign

Who is João Cotrim de Figueiredo?

• 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.

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.

Where does João Cotrim de Figueiredo and Iniciativa Liberal typically draw their voter support from?

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.

RTP Notícias15 JanPúblico15 JanECO15 JanCNN Portugal15 JanCorreio da Manhã15 JanObservador15 JanDinheiro Vivo15 JanECO15 JanCNN Portugal15 JanPúblico15 JanCorreio da Manhã15 JanObservador15 JanExpresso15 Jan