On the ninth day of campaigning for Sunday’s local elections, Livre spokesperson Rui Tavares and BE’s national coordinator, Mariana Mortágua, appeared together for the first time at an event in Oeiras with independent councilor Carla Castelo, running again under the coalition “Evoluir Oeiras,” which includes both parties and Volt Portugal.
When questioned whether the “wounds” between Rui Tavares and BE have healed, following the former independent MEP’s departure from the bloc in 2011, both smiled, and the deputy deferred to the bloquista: “It’s your turn to answer this first.”
Mariana Mortágua stated that although the two parties may always have differences, currently “the left, the progressive forces, the ecologist forces have an obligation given the strong and overwhelming rightward shift in the country.”
“And when these alliances can also be made with citizen movements, with work like that of Carla Castelo and the ‘Evoluir Oeiras’ coalition, then I think we are in the right place, I have no doubt about that.”
Rui Tavares also highlighted that since Mariana Mortágua took over BE’s coordination, the two parties have held several “electoral analysis” meetings and reiterated criticism of the right for its “permanent aggressiveness in discourse, mockery, division,” and attempts to “degrade what is most noble in politics, which is empathy.”
Tavares further commented that “the sense of doing something against injustices, when we feel powerless fighting that impotence” used to be “admired by everyone from left to right in this country.”
Therefore, “it is crucial to demonstrate unity and the ability to defend these values.”
“Because they will stop when they realize we don’t fear them, that we even laugh in their face, at this false aggressiveness, this bravado the right now showcases,” he criticized.
Praising the working method of the “Evoluir Oeiras” coalition, Tavares stated that it could be an “inspiration” to “break with old habits.”
“In my past, I was always frustrated with those old habits that sometimes prevented us from being a bit more pragmatic. Then, where do we put the right tone, the right style; I mean, we don’t need to all agree. In fact, if the left all agreed, it would be very boring. What we have to do is work together for what is essential, the defense of democracy in this country,” he advocated.
Compared to 2021, BE has significantly increased its left-wing coalitions in these local elections, partnering in many municipalities and parishes with Livre, which is fielding 49 campaigns, more than half of which are coalitions.
Bruno Costa, co-president of Volt Portugal, also present at the event, emphasized the broad scope of the candidacy in Oeiras, which includes left-wing parties as well as his own, urging votes from those “committed to transparency and impartial governance.”
Alongside him, Carla Castelo noted that figures like socialist Ana Gomes support her candidacy — despite PS having a candidate in Oeiras, Ana Sofia Antunes — as well as CDS-PP member Pedro Pestana Bastos.
The candidacy of Carla Castelo will face opponents including Isaltino Morais, the IN-OV incumbent, former Secretary of State for Inclusion Ana Sofia Antunes (PS), manager Bruno Mourão Martins (IL), MP Pedro Frazão (Chega), teacher Sandra Lemos (CDU), and Miguel Peixoto Parente from the “Compromisso com Oeiras” coalition.
