Speaking to journalists at the IL headquarters, Mariana Leitão described the party’s performance as an “extraordinary result” at a time when the “numbers are not yet finalized.”
“We were decisive in closing the door on radical left-wing factions” and “we will have councilors implementing liberal policies in Lisbon and Porto,” in addition to those elected on independent lists in Braga and Castelo Branco.
The IL “is already a party with extraordinary territorial reach,” with “so little time in existence,” she added.
In her first campaign as leader, Mariana Leitão set a goal to triple the number of elected officials from 2021, a target that was ultimately achieved.
“All indications are that we are going to meet the objectives we set of tripling the number of elected representatives” and “we already have a presence in 18 districts of the country,” making it “undoubtedly a result that makes us proud,” she noted.
To get the full count, the “night will be a little longer” because “the numbers are not finalized,” she emphasized.
Regarding her predecessor in IL leadership, who ran in Braga, Mariana Leitão praised: “Rui Rocha conducted an extraordinary campaign, congratulations are in order, and the question remains whether we will elect a second councilor or not.”
In relation to the electoral results of the night, where the PS and PSD maintain a significant influence in municipalities, the liberal leader pointed out that “in some local councils, it’s important to remember that the IL will play a more decisive role.”
And in some municipalities, like Lisbon and Porto, “liberal policies will become a reality.”
For future local elections, Mariana Leitão hopes to see “a slightly different map,” with “more presence of Iniciativa Liberal.”
The headquarters were open to supporters who, as the night progressed, eventually departed, cheering only for the election of the first councilor, José Henriques (Castelo Branco). The others were confirmed later.
Throughout the night, the large screen in the courtyard of the headquarters displayed the elected officials, occasionally prompting applause from supporters.
