Speaking to journalists this afternoon during a pre-electoral campaign event in Maia, where she is introducing António Fonseca’s candidacy, Mariana Leitão addressed the press two hours after attending an event in Gondomar, where the Liberal Initiative (IL) is allied with social-democrat deputy and municipal candidate Emídio Guerreiro. She explained that each party branch had autonomy to negotiate coalitions, with the condition that liberal proposals be included in the municipal programs.
“Liberal proposals are present in all candidacies, both in those where we run alone and where there are coalitions, as the goal is to have a unified program, and this was negotiated in the various coalitions where liberal proposals have a presence or a guarantee of application,” stated the IL leader.
“Where it makes sense for us to go alone, we do so. In places where, for the benefit of the people and to ensure the application of our proposals, we form coalitions,” summarized Mariana Leitão, who is leading the party’s campaign for the first time.
“We already have a significant milestone, which is having more candidacies compared to 2021, and being present in many more municipalities,” said the leader, who is confident in a good outcome on October 12.
“We are present in many places, presenting Liberal Initiative policies,” with “measures that will truly make a difference in people’s lives,” and “our ambition is to elect as many people as possible who can truly undertake this work and ensure the application of liberal measures for the people,” she explained.
In Maia, “the option taken by the local branch, with our candidate and also the branch coordinator, António Fonseca, was that, for these people and the liberal message here, it made sense to go alone,” she said.
Because “at the end of the day,” what matters “is ensuring that the policies defended by the Liberal Initiative and our future councilors will be applied,” she emphasized.
The initiative took place near the Maia Sports City, where liberals distributed pork sandwiches accompanied by a mascot with the IL symbol, used by the local branch for campaign activities.
According to António Fonseca, “the branches had their autonomy,” and in Maia, the decision was to stand alone.
“We believe we are the only political force prioritizing the citizens,” said the automotive and claims expert, considering that the party is the only one with a “publicly available program” offering “alternatives and solutions for housing problems, mobility problems, and tax issues” in the municipality.
“We are the only political force currently doing politics,” stated the candidate.
The social-democrat-dominated council for over 40 years, where the current president is running again, sees IL attempting to gain a seat in a council currently shared by the PSD (six seats) and the PS (five).
