On March 11, coinciding with the collapse of Luís Montenegro’s government, the Social Liberal Party was officially established in Portugal.
José Cardoso, a former contender for the leadership of Iniciativa Liberal, is leading the new political party as it races against time to prepare for the legislative elections scheduled for May.
Acknowledging the limited time for setting high expectations for election results, Cardoso emphasizes that the primary objective is to “present itself to the world” as a governmental alternative to Portuguese bipartisanship.
An interview to follow introduces the country’s newest party, participating in elections for the first time on May 18.
We aim to be an alternative to bipartisanship
The Social Liberal Party will appear on Portuguese ballots for the first time in these legislative elections. Describing themselves as the ‘Agents of Change,’ what shifts do you envision for the nation?
For a year, we developed this project to identify the liberal stance needed in Portugal. The Parliament only houses four socialist parties, and among various ideological realms, different trends exist. We bring what’s termed social liberalism.
Social liberalism is pragmatic, geared more towards governance. When evaluating the Portuguese political spectrum, bipartisanship initially provided stability post-April 25 but has stagnated the last two decades. We see an opportunity to assert our role here. We aspire to be a governing party capable of challenging the status quo, focused on individuals.
Liberalism champions individual liberty over collective identity. It’s social because individual freedom only thrives with equal opportunities, and we are ecologists, knowing the coming decades will prioritize sustainable management politically and economically. We believe this unique offering is needed.
Though José Cardoso is not new to the Portuguese, having sought leadership in Iniciativa Liberal, how does this project differ from his previous one?
It is significantly distinct. We aim to counter bipartisanship by embracing a liberal nuance, one unexplored in Portugal.
Carlos Guimarães Pinto, Iniciativa Liberal’s ideological leader, stated months ago that it wasn’t a social initiative. Likewise, Luís Montenegro often claims he’s not liberal. If one isn’t social and the other isn’t liberal, we simultaneously embody both. Like in developed European nations such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland, a socially liberal solution aligns with countries we view as models.
In 2024, you doubted governmental collapse and anticipated PLS debuting in municipal elections. A year later, the opposite happened. What are your expectations for a party so newly formed, campaigning under a tight deadline?
It’s been hectic since none foresaw the government’s fall under these circumstances. We were gearing up for municipal engagements, yet our official recognition as a party coincided with the governmental collapse on March 11. It remains to be seen if this is fortuitous.
Despite the rushed timeline, we secured inclusion in five electoral constituencies. We will contest elections in Lisbon, Porto, Setúbal, Europe, and beyond, reaching over 80% of the Portuguese population. Our electoral program comprises 12 paradigms fostering societal change towards social liberalism. This modest yet determined campaign elucidates these ideas, seeking recognition among the Portuguese. We undertake this campaign to introduce ourselves globally.
Could you summarize the party’s stance on pressing societal sectors? What are your priorities concerning healthcare, housing, defense…?
Our approach wasn’t a sector-specific program but rather a broader political framework affirmed at a national convention, covering various sectors reflecting our political understanding. Our electoral program prioritizes paradigmatic changes the country necessitates. It outlines five key priorities: public policies are among those.
The program doesn’t directly address energy, education, or transport but emphasizes a paradigm shift in state-society and market relations, advocating a regulatory, efficient state delivering energy, freedom, and embracing digitalization for efficacy and speed. Significant reforms are imperative, unfocused on satisfying select groups. New parties must embrace reform and propose novelties, or stagnation ensues.Does this program target youth or an older demographic?
Our focus isn’t age-specific. We’re pleased that party membership spans various ages, representing Portugal’s demographics. It isn’t predominantly young or senior citizens. It is broadly distributed, vital for articulating the need for change.
Significant reforms are imperative, unfocused on satisfying select groups. New parties must embrace reform and propose novelties, or stagnation ensues.
Given the limited campaign prep time, what are the expectations for May 18’s results?
A party of our age, 70 days, prioritizes quality over expectations. We’re engaging to ensure those we reach value our efforts. We focus on that, acknowledging our limited time and visibility. There are no grand expectations, given many still don’t recognize us. Small parties lack direct subsidies and communication channels, compromising visibility. Thus, we exert every effort until the 18th.
Bipartisanship clings to survival, catering to the structures it implemented, stifled by its own creation. While making glowing claims of prosperity, the reality is an increasingly impoverished nation.You once said your objective is a party ready to govern, not merely criticize. Does politics in Portugal suffer from this issue?
Yes, profoundly so. Bipartisanship is trapped in survival, satisfying its architects. It’s unable to enact meaningful reforms. They extoll greatness as the country faces growing poverty.
While my father’s generation amassed wealth, our generation leans on inherited affluence. Our children are emigrating, leaving us wondering about the next generation’s prospects.
Bipartisanship has shaped the last 30 years. Other parties, ideologically ‘perfect’ or perpetually protesting, lack gov’t focus, clarity, or efficiency. Pragmatic governance, emphasizing practical examples, remains scarce.
Take, for instance, justice. It’s neither left nor right—it’s foundational. Its downfall discredits institutions, fueling extremism. A united party effort to resolve justice issues benefits all Portuguese. Parties unable to collaborate on justice are failing.
We need governing parties to solve problems, setting ideologies aside for efficiency and efficacy. While some matters are ideological, many are not, highlighting the need for a working party.
Will bipartisanship dominate these elections again? How do you counteract it?
We need parties that earn citizens’ trust and show governance readiness, accepting mistakes as part of leadership. Ideologically perfect parties only criticize, avoiding real governance. No one is flawless, but we aim to create a party with imperfect yet willing leaders. Small parties fear losing support over errors, but it’s pointless to introduce another ‘perfect’ party among the existing 24.
Unfortunately, bipartisanship is central again, but our voice begins now. We desire a serious, governance-aspiring party.
Change begins when smaller parties demand governance collaboration, enforcing reforms on bipartisan incumbents.
What benefits does a plethora of small parties offer the country?
With space for idea expression, there’s no harm. Disliked ideas aren’t voted for. No issue arises as party subsidies aren’t taxpayer-funded. Minority opinions can trend majoritary. In Europe, pivotal bipartisanship has faded, transitioning to coalition governance. It’s commonplace elsewhere and likely pending in Portugal. Small parties impose necessary reforms.
Reflecting on Iniciativa Liberal, once aspiring to transform it into Portugal’s third major party, how do you perceive its progress under Rui Rocha?
I prefer not to comment, wishing to distance myself from my former affiliation.
Lastly, where does PLS stand on the rise of extremist movements?
Adherence stems from systemic disillusionment and social media exploitation. Although extremists dominate media, surveys show non-extremists prevail. Disproportionate focus goes to extremism over moderation. The path involves education, fostering discernment between information and propaganda—key is digital literacy.
No nation advanced using extremist ideas from any ideology. It’s vital to remind people to embrace values like democracy, liberalism, power separation, institutional and judicial respect, electing capable representatives.
Our electoral program doesn’t address extremism to avoid contributing to it but emphasizes democracy reinforcement, alongside justice and electoral system fortifications.
