A group of approximately 110 members from the BE’s Santarém constituency have expressed their concerns in a letter to the media, arguing that the party has long diverged from its initial strategy of forming a strong leftist coalition as an alternative to the central bloc’s rotation. They criticize the ‘geringonça’ as a temporary solution that has permanently influenced BE’s strategic direction.
These members contend that political proposals are often conveniently softened or shelved with the hope of gaining acceptance by the PS. They also argue that the focus on worker struggles, essential for substantial transformation, has been replaced by identity and partial agendas, which, while important, have limited impact.
Believing that “the sharp edge of BE’s initial intervention has long been dulled,” these militants state that they have brought their criticisms to the party’s top bodies over the years, yet “the majority of the BE leadership systematically rejects them.”
They express frustration, stating that the leadership never takes responsibility for successive electoral defeats and always attributes failures to difficult “conditions.”
Further criticism is directed at the current coordination led by Mariana Mortágua. The group accuses the leadership of progressively centralizing decision-making and marginalizing dissenting voices.
“The diversity of BE, once seen as a strength, is now considered a threat,” the statement reads.
The group also alleges that party employees are “subjected to practices that would embarrass many employers,” citing the dismissal of new mothers in 2022 as an example of a broader issue.
“Experienced staff members face disparagement through corridor gossip. When that’s insufficient, defamatory insinuations or fabricated internal disciplinary proceedings are used,” it adds.
The militants believe that “Bloco de Esquerda is quietly sliding into an old, undemocratic centralism.”
