Rui Tavares set his initial political aspiration to expand his parliamentary faction.
In the heat of Lisbon's Teatro Thalia, Livre's leader Rui Tavares made a passionate call to his supporters: "The nation wants a bigger Livre, not a Livre hidden amongst minor political parties in Portugal!"
In a electrifying 40-minute speech, Tavares - whose party currently holds four seats in parliament - declared that the populace had already experienced the restraints of a small Livre, and yearned for a powerful one instead.
"We need to be a cornerstone party in Portuguese politics, the fourth political force in the nation," he roared, to the rhythm of chants echoing through the crowded theater: "Present, future, free, free, free!"
His fiery speech didn't spare rival party IL, whom he has criticized during the campaign. "We aim to surpass IL," he declared, adding, "From Rui to Rui, even when we're a tenth apart, don't take it badly because we need to beat you!"
And the target after IL? "Draining the far-right in Portugal," Tavares guaranteed, turning his gaze towards Chega, the controversial and surging far-right party.
"Do you truly understand who you're electing when you vote for Chega?" Tavares questioned his audience, raising doubts about the party's candidates, past misdeeds, and hidden skeletons. He hammered away, posing questions to those who voted for or were considering Chega: "Were you aware when you voted for a small-time crook, a pimp, or a cybercrime suspect?"
The leader of Livre accused Chega of purposely withholding vital information about its candidates from the public, a move he considered far from commendable.
As the campaign enters its final days, Tavares urged voters to reflect on their choices, urging those who had voted for Chega to reconsider and make a wise choice for the nation's future.
Additional Info:
Livre, a left-wing party with progressive and environmentally-friendly policies, has been capturing more voters compared to previous elections. Recent polls hint at a potential 3.9% share of the votes in the upcoming 2025 general elections, a significant increase from the previous year. Although details about Livre's strategies and stance on tackling the rise of far-right parties like Chega are scarce, the party's ambition to position itself as a formidable force in Portuguese politics is clear.
Tavares, in his passionate speech, expressed the desire for Livre to make a transition from a minor political party to a cornerstone force in Portuguese politics, seeking to surpass rival IL and drain the far-right in Portugal, specifically targeting the controversial and surging Chega party.
He questioned the voters' understanding of the candidates they are electing, raising concerns about Chega's controversial candidates and their past misdeeds, suggesting that the party may be hiding skeletons from the public.
Reflecting on the upcoming general elections, Tavares called on voters to make wise decisions for the nation's future, urging those who had voted for Chega to reconsider their choices, given Livre's progressive and environmentally-friendly policies and its growing popularity among the Portuguese populace.
In addition to the political arena, Tavares' vision extends to sports, specifically mixed-martial-arts (MMA), as Livre recently announced its investment in promoting MMA in Portugal, reiterating the party's commitment to making a bigger impact in various spheres of national life.
