Bernardo Blanco aims to top the "collected registry" within the National Council of IL.
revamped write-up:
Hey there! Let's chat about the fluid political landscape in Portugal, particularly the Liberal Initiative (IL) party. This left-leaning group, founded in 2017, made a splash in the 2025 legislative elections by boosting their vote share from 5.08% to 5.53%, bagging nine seats in Parliament—a slight but significant improvement from their previous tally of eight[1][3].
Now, the party finds itself in a tricky situation post the departure of its leader, Rui Rocha, replaced by interim leader Miguel Rangel[2]. With local elections looming this autumn, it's a pivotal moment for IL to assert its voice and garner support.
Former Deputy Bernardo Blanco, a veteran in the scene, is aiming high, eyeing the reins of a "consolidating list" for the National Council. He hopes to rally prominent faces from all IL factions, if the party decides to hold elections for all offices[4].
At the IL convention in February, Blanco's list earned a whopping 34% of the votes and 18 mandates[4]. Speaking about his strategy, Blanco aims to foster dialogue with political hopefuls from all lists that contested the National Council elections[4]. By building a robust, unified, and forward-thinking campaign, Blanco is planning to drive the party forward with vigor and conviction.
Blanco believes this moment in time is demanding for IL, acknowledging the approaching local elections and the necessity for the party to adapt to the changing political climate[4]. Under Blanco's lead, IL intends to stand out as a pillar of unity, plurality, and ambition[4].
In terms of policy, Blanco advocates for the reduction of the State as the primary guiding principle, rejecting the political occupation of the State apparatus[4]. By doing so, IL aims to take a proactive stance on issues such as security and justice, providing a moderate response to citizens' concerns that should not fall prey to extremist ideologies[4]. Lastly, Blanco envisions IL as a key player in reinstating themes like social mobility and economic growth to the forefront of public debates.
Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting political drama in Portugal as the ACTIV8 unfolds!
Enrichment Data:
- The Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal, IL) is a liberal political party in Portugal, founded in 2017.
- Rui Rocha was the leader of the IL until May 2025, promoting the need for political stability and potentially openness to coalition talks[1].
- IL's modest growth in the 2025 legislative elections, securing nine seats in the Portuguese Parliament, is attributed to its innovative communication strategies targeting younger voters with bold and reformist messages[1].
- Without specific details, it's challenging to elaborate further on the role and strategies of former deputy Bernardo Blanco or the National Council without context.
- The Liberal Initiative (IL) party, currently in a critical pre-local election phase, is focusing on policy-and-legislation reforms, particularly emphasizing the reduction of the State and promoting moderate responses to security, justice, and economic matters, as advocated by Bernardo Blanco, the interim leader.
- Amid the unfolding political drama in Portugal, various political news outlets are closely monitoring the general-news developments surrounding the Liberal Initiative (IL), especially the leadership race and Blanco's efforts to create a consolidating list for the National Council, which could influence the party's future direction and stance on key issues.
