The Liberal Initiative elects its new leader this Sunday to succeed João Cotrim Figueiredo in what is the first electoral convention in the history of the party founded in 2017. Rui Rocha and Carla Castro, both deputies and members of the outgoing leadership, and National Councilor José Cardoso are contesting the presidency of the Executive Committee.
This Sunday, José Cardoso arrived first, even before 9 a.m., at the Lisbon Congress Center, and later arrived Rui Rocha, who was received at the VII National Convention with a big hug from the current President João Cotrim Figueiredo and downplayed the criticism exchanged between liberals, namely with Carla Castro.
Asked about the criticisms exchanged between members and candidates on the first day of the convention, namely between himself and Carla Castro, Rui devalued Rocha, saying that the magna rally damaged the image of “a very strong party with the ability to deal with the country to speak” endures. “.
“Obviously there are always moments of more heated discussions, this is part of the political process, we will certainly be stronger from Monday, and I count on all liberals, including myself, in any scenario, to transform the country “, he assured.
The candidate was repeatedly confronted by journalists with some of the most heated moments of the first day, but he always devalued: “I understand that you want to focus on criticism and the hottest moments, but my goal as a candidate for president of the party to tell all liberals, as well as the country, that they can count on IL and that the growth trajectory will continue.”
“There are no irreparable fractures, I repeat, my vision and commitment to the members of the IL, but also to the country, it is a strong and united party where everyone who wants to contribute to this project will have their place,” he claimed .
When asked if the party had forgotten Monday’s exchange of criticism and possible wounds, Rocha said he was not a “doctor or nurse”.
As for the relationship with Carla Castro, Rui Rocha guaranteed that it will remain “the same as always”, that is, “a cordial relationship, a working relationship”, with which he is convinced that the deputy feels the same and that they will be united the day after around a common goal “that is that IL continues to assert itself”.
On a possible written speech, Rui Rocha replied that he has one “in his head”.
“In my head, I bring it because I am a minimally foresighted person, but that does not mean that the result cannot be anyone , he concluded.
Carla Castro relies on a united party and remains in parliament
Carla Castro said she was confident the party would be united after the election and assured she would stay in parliament “regardless of the winning direction”.
At the entrance of the second and last day of work, she was asked if she already had a written speech in case of victory. “Especially in the heart,” he said simply.
As for the criticism of the outgoing president, João Cotrim Figueiredo, who accused her of “lack of masculinity”, Carla Castro said that, “disagree” with these words, today she prefers to focus on the future project of IL.
“Liberal members should choose the project they most identify with,” he said, admitting that he “heard the audience applaud” on Saturday, but today is the time to listen to the members, who will vote electronically in national bodies .
Carla Castro stated that as a member of the outgoing executive committee, she is not only responsible but also “proud of IL’s success”.
“What we are proposing is to continue what went well and an alternative to the internal control of the other party,” he said.
At the entrance to the Lisbon Congress Center, around 9 a.m., the candidate preferred to focus on a message of unity, understating the sometimes sharp tone of Saturday speeches.
“I waited to see what I saw, a liberal energy ready to be an alternative to Portugal,” he said.
When asked if she will remain as a deputy if she does not win, the candidate assured that she will continue her day-to-day parliamentary work “in any direction”.
“Tomorrow, the goal is that we are all united to fight socialism,” he said.
The VII Convention of the Liberal Initiative ends today in the Congress Center of Lisbon, and the approximately 2,300 party members who registered at the main meeting will elect João Cotrim Figueiredo’s successor as the party’s leader, who went from one to one in the last parliamentary election. eight deputies went .
In the first electoral convention in IL’s history (established in 2017), Rui Rocha and Carla Castro, both delegates and members of the outgoing board, and national adviser José Cardoso compete for the presidency of the executive committee.
Source: DN
