In the 2021 municipal elections, the Livre party was undergoing a turbulent period: after electing a member to the Portuguese Parliament for the first time in 2019, the party lost its parliamentary representation when Joacine Katar Moreira lost political confidence and became non-affiliated.
At that time, Rui Tavares stepped forward for the municipal elections and became a councilor in the Lisbon City Hall. Isabel Mendes Lopes, now the spokesperson and parliamentary leader, took office in Lisbon’s Municipal Assembly.
Overall, Livre secured eight local elected officials, which it maintains to this day: one councilor in Lisbon, one municipal deputy in Lisbon, Oeiras, Felgueiras, and Vila Real de Santo António, and three members in the parish assemblies of Penha de França, Lumiar, and Carnaxide and Queijas.
In the 2022 legislative elections, Rui Tavares was elected to the Portuguese Parliament, marking the start of an upward electoral trajectory for the party, which now has a bench of six parliamentarians and has become the leftist political force with the most votes in this year’s legislative elections, behind the PS, surpassing parties like BE and PCP.
In 2021, the party, which always advocated for left-wing convergence, attempted to form coalitions throughout the country but managed only three: in Oeiras with BE, Volt, and the independent movement “Evoluir Oeiras”; in Felgueiras with the independent movement “Sim, Acredita” and PS; and in Lisbon with the PS, and two independent movements.
This year, according to an official source from the party, out of a total of fifty candidacies, Livre has 25 left-wing coalitions, focusing heavily on Lisbon (led by the socialist Alexandra Leitão, including PS, Livre, BE, and PAN), Sintra (with socialist Ana Mendes Godinho supported by PS and Livre), and Porto, where the party is fielding leader Hélder Sousa.
Overall, Livre will be in coalition with PS, BE, and PAN in Lisbon, Albufeira, and Ponta Delgada; only with PS in Felgueiras and Sintra; with PAN and PS in Póvoa de Varzim and Trofa; with independents (Cidadãos por Coimbra), PS, and PAN in Coimbra; with the independent movement “Evoluir Oeiras”, BE, and Volt in Oeiras; with BE and PAN in Cascais, Figueira da Foz, Leiria, Loures, Odivelas, Portimão, and Silves; and only with BE in Almada, Barreiro, Castelo Branco, Loulé, Odemira, Santarém, Seixal, and Vila Nova de Gaia.
The party will also present its own lists in Amadora, Aveiro, Barcelos, Braga, Caldas da Rainha, Entroncamento, Faro, Funchal, Gondomar, Lagos, Matosinhos, Montijo, Oliveira de Azeméis, Paços de Ferreira, Penafiel, Peniche, Porto, Rio Maior, Santa Maria da Feira, Sesimbra, Setúbal, Tomar, Viana do Castelo, Vila Franca de Xira, and Vila Real.
None of the deputies in the Portuguese Parliament will run for municipal office.
The change in the paradigm of left-wing alliances in these elections (excluding the PCP) was noted by the party spokesperson Rui Tavares: “There is a very real change in local left-wing politics,” he stated last month.
“With the emergence of Livre and the significance it has gained in Portuguese politics, many coalitions on the left have formed,” he highlighted, also emphasizing the importance of combating “a right that is becoming more radicalized and increasingly reactionary.”
In terms of electoral goals, Livre aims to “increase the number of elected officials” and help “halt the rise of the far-right in local power.”
“Portugal and its regions cannot fall into the trap of easy politics, politics that divide instead of unite, that only criticize and shout without presenting proposals. One of Livre’s goals is precisely to contribute with elected officials and proposals to ensure a more just, inclusive, and ecological future, always remembering that we work for the people,” the party stated.
The municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
