Mariana Leitão, the leader of Iniciativa Liberal (IL), responded on Saturday to comments made by Livre’s spokesperson, Rui Tavares, stating that “he is in no position to give lessons on democracy and freedom.”
“Rui Tavares complained about the lack of media attention, not having the same prominence or airtime as other parties, including IL,” the liberal leader explained during an event in Barcelos.
“I would suggest to Rui Tavares to leave Lisbon and Porto and do what I am doing, which is indeed important,” she added, listing all the cities in Portugal she visited over the past few days.
For Mariana Leitão, the party’s visits to various cities allow IL to be “close to the people,” “show that it cares,” and to “do politics differently.”
“Obviously, one consequence of this is media attention,” she noted.
“I really suggest that Rui Tavares makes himself available to travel around the country to understand that there is much to be done and that the country is not limited to Lisbon and Porto,” she continued.
Mariana Leitão also criticized “an insinuation” made by Livre’s spokesperson and emphasized that she “does not accept Rui Tavares giving lessons on democracy, freedom, or individual rights.”
“Rui Tavares is in no position to give us lessons on these issues. These are the fundamental values of this party. If there is a party that uncompromisingly defends democracy, individual rights, and each person’s freedom, it is us. It’s not worth beating around the bush,” she stated.
Mariana Leitão stressed the importance of “not forgetting” that “Rui Tavares often aligns himself with parties that are not very democratic, quite authoritarian,” citing the Left Bloc (BE) and the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) as examples.
And she remarked, “I do not accept moral lessons from someone who engages in this type of politics and associations.”
“Rui Tavares is in no position to give lessons on democracy and freedom”
In a publication on social media platform X this Sunday, the party reiterated that “Rui Tavares needs to get out more from Lisbon to know what is happening in the country and stop the behavior he exhibits.”
“Rui Tavares is in no position to give lessons on democracy and freedom when he aligns and votes almost always alongside authoritarian parties like the Communist Party and the Left Bloc, responsible for the ideology of poverty and misery, reflected also in the ideas Livre defends and the way it is managed, a party of a single man,” it reads.
Rui Tavares needs to get out more from Lisbon to know what is happening in the country and stop the behavior he exhibits.
Rui Tavares is in no position to give lessons on democracy and freedom when he aligns and votes almost always alongside authoritarian parties like the Communist Party and the… pic.twitter.com/onEpH6l14u
— Iniciativa Liberal (@LiberalPT) September 14, 2025
“If they are not to contain and defeat the far-right, what are they for?”
On Saturday, during Livre’s 16th Congress, Rui Tavares criticized the Right, notably the PSD and Iniciativa Liberal, questioning: “If they are not to contain and defeat the far-right, what are they for?”
He also emphasized that Livre’s ambition is growing and currently aims to “nip at the heels of Chega and overtake them.”
“Our ambition is to nip at the heels of Chega and overtake them. We want to see you in the rearview mirror. We are behind you and you won’t have to wait long. It might not be tomorrow. But more and more Portuguese who reject hate, who reject offense, who reject your incompetence, who reject your disarray, have a party where they see their representative, their voice, see as the only alternative, see that party that can turn things around,” assured Rui Tavares.
Today, the Livre leader, Rui Tavares, declared that the party’s ambition is greater than ever and currently aims to “nip at the heels of Chega and overtake them.”
Lusa | 22:13 – 13/09/2025
