In a recent announcement, IL has named veterinarian and real estate consultant Sara Jardim as the lead candidate for the Funchal municipality, Madeira’s primary council.
In Santa Cruz, governed for 12 years by Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP), the candidate will be Business Intelligence manager João Corte Fernandes. In Câmara de Lobos, traditionally controlled by the PSD, businessman Humberto Faria, who has interests in agriculture and the automotive sector, will be the candidate.
For Machico, located at the eastern end of Madeira and currently under PS control, IL has selected public administration professor and technician António Nóbrega.
The party noted that for the Municipal Assemblies, their candidates include tourism promotion expert Rocie Bayntun (Funchal), economist and university lecturer Nuno Fernandes (Santa Cruz), banking and local politics manager Carolina Alves (Machico), and visual artist Bárbara Gil (Câmara de Lobos).
IL’s municipal program for Madeira is themed “Fazer diferente. Fazer melhor. Fazer liberal,” emphasizing concrete proposals tailored to each council’s reality, with plans for housing, mobility, social policies, culture, environment, economic activity support, and administrative modernization.
The IL highlighted its intention to present a “clear and objective program centered on people and oriented towards concrete results and quality of life improvements in municipalities.”
Main priorities include affordable housing, tax relief with minimal IMI and IMT, zero-dump, IRS refunds to families, and the elimination of unjustified charges, alongside efficient mobility.
In social policies, IL advocates for “people-centered proposals,” including home support programs, enhanced local health care, and responses to loneliness and aging.
Culturally, the focus is on strengthening local creators and valuing artistic and historical heritage.
“With this program, Iniciativa Liberal reaffirms its commitment to municipal politics serving people, where freedom, responsibility, and efficiency are at the heart of every decision,” they stated.
In the last municipal elections on September 26, 2021, the PSD/CDS-PP coalition won in three of Madeira’s 11 councils: Funchal, São Vicente, and Porto Santo.
The PSD, running alone, secured wins in Câmara de Lobos and Calheta, while CDS-PP claimed victory in Santana.
PS achieved majority control in Porto Moniz, Machico, and Ponta do Sol, and JPP held onto its leadership in Santa Cruz.
In Ribeira Brava, the movement Ribeira Brava Primeiro prevailed, supported by social-democrats and centrists.
The municipal elections are expected to take place between September and October.
