“Hypocrisy”: criticism of Rui Tavares rises within Livre; competition is “asphyxiated”

Two leaders left, in the space of a few days, against the “unilateral decisions” of the party’s “elite”. Reviews have been rising since 2022.

Isabel Mendes Lopes, parliamentary leader, considers that the exits of two leaders in the space of four days do not jeopardize “the growth and vitality” of the Book.

But he emphasizes that these departures from the board – Filipe Caetano and João Manso – are a sign of increased internal opposition to Rui Tavares’ leadership. “The echo of criticism grows and is heard”, reads the newspaper.

A former leader of Livre tells the newspaper that the internal opposition is grow up four years agowhen Rui Tavares was elected sole deputy in the Assembly of the Republic. Talk about a climate of closing of the board.

Filipe Caetano and João Manso left the management of Livre at the beginning of this month, between the 3rd and 7th of March. They were against the “unilateral decisions” and closed, prepared within the “elite” party, they claim.

“Addictions”

Filipe tells Público that Livre claims to be different from other parties but has the same “vices” and is “executing the same logics of political loyalty as the others”.

At issue is the process of choice of yours candidates. The primary elections continue but total openness no longer exists; It is a more restricted process, especially since Francisco Paupério appeared for the 2024 European Championships. In a second round, no more open elections.

“There is a huge wall. The bodies were structured in such a way as to make it difficult for outsiders to enter”, according to Filipe Caetano – who had been with Livre since the party was founded.

In a reference to Rui Tavares, the message is: “The original idea was that the party would not be a one-man party”. And, he continues, whenever competition appears, it is removed: “Whenever people with potential − not necessarily to lead the party −, they end up being suffocated.”

“Hypocrisy”

João Manso is no longer a leader but remains a member of Livre.

However, it does not hide the criticisms. The horizontality promised by Livre did not materialize: “In practice, it is the winning motion that ends up being followed, with no real space for other positions. It is a hypocrisy. O party does not always place principles above positionsas he defended”.

Reinforcing that there is an “elite” in Livre, he complains that this elite makes decisions without internal debatewithout listening to other perspectives – and this damaged the atmosphere in the party: “The debate became oppressive and with continuous attempts to demonize people”.

Another member of the Livre assembly, who preferred not to say his name, said: “People are expected to defend all decisions uncritically. Livre suffers from everything that is bad in politics, including the power perception games”.