In the 2021 local elections, the party’s first attempt at municipal elections, IL presented candidates in 53 municipalities—46 on its own and seven in coalitions—securing only one councilor position.
Four years later, the landscape has shifted: IL plans to run in around 100 municipalities, nearly doubling its 2021 efforts, and intends to form coalitions in approximately “25% to 30%” of cases, according to Miguel Rangel, the party’s municipal coordinator and deputy.
Thus far, IL has finalized 75 candidacies: 47 on their own and 28 in coalition, aligning with PSD and CDS in the four largest municipalities in the country: Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, and Vila Nova de Gaia.
This represents a strategic shift for the party compared to four years ago when IL ran its own candidates in all those municipalities except Porto, where it supported an independent movement led by Rui Moreira.
Miguel Rangel explained that this increased focus on coalitions is due to changing political circumstances and was decided “on a case-by-case basis” by IL’s local branches, emphasizing that there was no national mandate to pursue agreements with other parties.
Notably, former leader Rui Rocha is running for Mayor of Braga—the only party deputy contesting in the local elections—at a time when the current city mayor, Ricardo Rio, cannot seek re-election due to the three-term limit.
Rangel noted that the goal for IL in these elections is to achieve “a significant increase in the number of councilors, particularly through their own candidacies,” and to ensure the party’s presence in municipal administrations.
However, the liberals find it “very difficult” to win a mayoral position, as stated by IL’s new leader, Mariana Leitão, prior to her election at the party’s National Convention on July 19.
In her strategy motion, Mariana Leitão argued that IL should focus on “creating liberal governance labs” rather than merely increasing elected officials, aiming to establish examples of the party’s principles nationwide.
“They should serve as an example of how things can be done differently and better. Municipalities that attract talent, companies, and projects,” the motion stated.
Miguel Rangel expressed confidence that 2025 “will be a very important step for IL’s municipal growth,” which he believes “will positively influence local governance and IL’s objectives and implementation.”
The municipal coordinator also highlighted that the party is running in twice as many municipalities, attributing this to the efforts of local branches and about 90 elected councilors, showing that the party has expanded its local presence.
