Presidential elections: Mariana Leitão says Cotrim has “all the characteristics” to be a candidate

IL leader Mariana Leitão said today that MEP João Cotrim Figueiredo has "all the characteristics" to represent liberal values in the presidential elections and said she hopes his candidacy will materialize.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with the board of directors of Amadora-Sintra Hospital in Lisbon, Mariana Leitão said it was with “great pleasure” that she learned of João Cotrim Figueiredo’s availability to be a candidate in the 2026 presidential elections.

"He is a person who brings together all the characteristics that are fundamental to occupying the space of liberal ideas and values, of this uncompromising defense of more freedom, of less State, of a much more efficient State," he considered.

Mariana Leitão said that these are “fundamental values” for IL to support a presidential candidacy and, when asked if she intends to support João Cotrim Figueiredo, she replied: “We will wait and see.”

“It makes us very happy, and me in particular, that he expressed this willingness and I hope he materializes it,” he said.

When asked if she was taken by surprise by João Cotrim Figueiredo's announcement, given that upon entering the 10th IL Convention, which took place this Saturday in Alcobaça, he had said that the presidential elections would not be a topic of the meeting, Mariana Leitão responded that any time for the MEP to express his willingness to run “is a good time”.

"It demonstrated availability and a certain willingness, given the lack of any candidate who makes sense at this time or who even defends what is essential to defend, who speaks to young people. That's what João Cotrim Figueiredo did," he said.

Mariana Leitão was also asked if she felt that Rui Rocha challenged her at the convention, stating that he chose to step down as leader to see if the fact that IL did not surpass the 5% electoral threshold was due to him or the party.

The IL leader considered that Rui Rocha made an "extremely accurate diagnosis of the last two and a half years that he led the party", of the IL's growth and of the "various issues" that he put on the political agenda.

“Now, in my mission, I will do everything I can to, while also leaving my mark, ensure that this growth continues and will be further consolidated and solidified,” he said.

Mariana Leitão rejected feeling obligated to “exceed the 5% threshold,” stating that she feels obligated to do her best.

This Saturday, MEP João Cotrim Figueiredo, leader of the IL between 2019 and 2023, said he was available to be a presidential candidate, but stressed that the decision “has not been made” and depends on the support of entities other than the IL, which he did not specify.