LIVRE

FREE
LIVRE
AbbreviationL
SpokespersonsRui Tavares
Isabel Mendes Lopes
Founded31 January 2014 (2014-01-31)
Legalised20 March 2014 (2014-03-20)
HeadquartersRua Marcos Portugal, n.º 22-A 1200–258 Lisboa Lisbon
Membership (2026)4500[1]
Ideology
Political positionCentre-left[6][7] to left-wing[5][10]
European affiliation
European Parliament groupGreens/EFA[13]
Colours
  •   Green
  •   Red
Assembly of the Republic
6 / 230
European Parliament
0 / 21
Regional parliaments
0 / 104
Local government
(Mayors)
0 / 308
Local government
(Parishes)
0 / 3,216
Election symbol
Party flag
Website
partidolivre.pt

LIVRE[14] (L; lit. 'FREE'), temporarily known as LIVRE/Tempo de Avançar[15] (lit. 'FREE/Time to Move Forward', L/TDA), is a green left-wing Portuguese political party, founded in 2014. Its founding principles are ecology, universalism, freedom, equality, solidarity, socialism, and pro-Europeanism.[16]

History

In 2011, Left Bloc's Independent MEP Rui Tavares departed the party's group due to disagreements with coordinator Francisco Louçã and began sitting as an independent in European Parliament.[17] Tavares also left the Left Bloc's European Parliament group, GUE-NGL, and began sitting with Greens–European Free Alliance.

In 2014, ahead of that year's European elections, LIVRE was formed, with Tavares being its most notable founder. Its founding congress was 31 January.[18] The party was legalised by the Portuguese Constitutional Court on 20 March 2014.[19] On 20 May 2015, it officially changed its name LIVRE to LIVRE/Tempo de Avançar, with L/TDA as its abbreviation.[20] This change was made in order to run for the 2015 legislative election in a broad coalition with the citizen platform Tempo de Avançar, as only political parties can run in legislative elections.[21] It switched back to its original name a few years later. Its symbol is a poppy.

In the 2019 legislative election the party entered parliament for the first time, with Joacine Katar Moreira as their sole MP.[22] After several clashes between Katar Moreira and the party's leadership, including accusations that LIVRE only used her to achieve the state mandated subvention due to her being a black woman, and Katar Moreira's claim that the election was "won" only by her[23][24] the party expelled her from their caucus on 31 January 2020, losing all representation in the Assembly of the Republic.[25]

During the campaign for the 2022 legislative election, Rui Tavares, once again the main candidate from LIVRE, was able to appear in the televised debates due to the party having elected one MP during the previous election.[26] Rui Tavares was elected as the party's sole MP, with LIVRE regaining representation in parliament.[27]

During the 2024 legislative election, LIVRE increased their result to 3.2% and elected 4 MPs: Rui Tavares, Isabel Mendes Lopes (who became the first Parliamentary leader of LIVRE), Jorge Pinto and Paulo Muacho.[28]

In the same year, LIVRE selected Francisco Paupério as the main candidate for the 2024 European Parliament election after his victory in the party primaries, a result that caused some internal turmoil in the party after allegations of electoral fraud.[29] Rui Tavares was later criticized for not being as present as other party leaders in the party's campaign for the European elections.[15] In the end, LIVRE achieved 3.8% of the votes, their best result at that point, but failed to elect any MEPs.[18]

In the 2025 legislative election, LIVRE once again rose to 4.1% of the votes and elected 6 MPs, this time also taking Filipa Pinto and Patrícia Gonçalves to parliament, with LIVRE becoming the largest party to the left of the Socialist Party.[30] In the local elections, LIVRE managed to elect about 50 local representatives, having kept one city councillor in Lisbon within a PS/LIVRE/BE/PAN coalition, Carlos Teixeira.[31]

Later that year, the party presented its first own presidential candidate for the following year's presidential election, Jorge Pinto.[32] He achieved a very poor result, winning just 0.7% of the votes and coming in 9th place, behind all left-wing candidates and even satirical candidate Manuel João Vieira,[33] with the party endorsing António José Seguro for the second round against André Ventura on election night.[34]

Organization

Structure

The party's political responsibilities are divided between two main organs, both elected for two-year terms in the party congress: the Contact Group, composed of 15 people elected through lists and which are responsible for the Executive functioning of the party; the Assembly, composed of 50 people (with gender parity) elected through individual candidacies, responsible for determining the political positioning of the party. Unlike most parties in the Portuguese landscape, LIVRE does not have a determined leadership role, having rotating roles such a male-female Spokespeople duo from the Contact Group and a Coordinator of the Board of the Assembly. Given that both organs have term-limits and no person can be in one organ more than three consecutive terms, they are considered as rotative roles.[35]

Leadership positions

Co-spokesperson of the Contact Group

Co-spokesperson Co-spokesperson Start of term End of term Prime Minister
No co-spokesperson 1 February 2014 20 December 2015 Pedro Passos Coelho (2011–2015)
António Costa (2015–2024)
20 December 2015 20 January 2018
20 January 2018 19 January 2020
Pedro Mendonça
Isabel Mendes Lopes 19 January 2020 6 March 2022
Rui Tavares
Teresa Mota 6 March 2022 12 May 2024
Luís Montenegro (since 2024)
Isabel Mendes Lopes 12 May 2024 present

Elected politicians

Members of the Assembly of the Republic

17th Legislature (2025 – present)
16th Legislature (2024 – 2025)
15th Legislature (2022 – 2024)
14th Legislature (2019 – 2022)

Candidates selection

2016 presidential election

On 26 June 2015, LIVRE held an internal referendum to decide who the party would support in the 2016 presidential election, counting only as valid votes in candidates that had already presented their candidacy. On the ballot, 79.7% of the party members were in favour of the party supporting a candidate, while 65% voted in favour of supporting former Rector of the University of Lisbon António Sampaio da Nóvoa.[36]

Ballot: 26 June 2015
Candidate Votes %
António Sampaio da Nóvoa 64.9
Paulo de Morais 5.3
Henrique Neto 3.0
Graça Castanho 0.2
Cândido Ferreira 0.1
Blank/invalid ballots 25.5
Turnout
Source: Results

2021 presidential election

LIVRE held an internal referendum to decide who the party would support in the 2021 presidential election. On the ballot, 91% of the members were in favour of supporting a candidate, while 89% of the voters supported former MEP Ana Gomes.[37]

Ballot: 21 September 2020
Candidate Votes %
Ana Gomes 88.9
Marisa Matias 9.9
Other candidates 1.2
Turnout
Source: Results

2026 presidential election

Jorge Pinto, deputy from LIVRE, announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election on 22 October 2025.[32] Despite that, some party members had already supported António José Seguro, from the Socialist Party.[38] The party allowed votes on other candidates on the left, despite not including them on the ballot. On the ballot, 78.7% of the party members decided to support a candidate, while the distribution of support between candidates was the following:[39]

Ballot: 31 October 2025
Candidate Votes %
Jorge Pinto 819 62.9
António José Seguro 252 19.4
António Filipe 121 9.3
Catarina Martins 70 5.4
Other candidates 40 3.1
Turnout 1,302
Source: Results

As such, LIVRE officially supported Jorge Pinto, even though he was a MP for the party, this was the least consensual endorsement of a presidential candidate by LIVRE of all time.[40]

Political stances

One of the main points of the party's manifesto going into the 2022 legislative election was support for a universal basic income.[41] The party also highlighted its support for increasing the national minimum wage to €1,000 per month, extending support for: remote working, pregnant workers, workers with health problems, caregivers and supporting "micro-businesses". The party also supports a Green New Deal for Portugal, lowering VAT from 23% to 6% on vets and pet food, banning bullfighting and legalizing cannabis.[42][43]

Election results

Assembly of the Republic

Vote share in the Portuguese legislative elections

Election Main candidate Votes % Seats +/- Government Notes
2015 Rui Tavares 39,330 0.7 (#9)
0 / 230
 New No seats
2019 Joacine Katar Moreira 56,940 1.1 (#9)
1 / 230
0 / 230
 1

1 		Opposition Joacine Katar Moreira was expelled
from the LIVRE caucus in January 2020.
No seats
2022 Rui Tavares 71,232 1.3 (#9)
1 / 230
 1 Opposition
2024 204,875 3.2 (#7)
4 / 230
 3 Opposition
2025 257,291 4.1 (#5)
6 / 230
 2 Opposition

Presidential

Election Candidate First round Second round Result
Votes % Votes %
2016 António Sampaio da Nóvoa 1,062,138 22.9 (#2) Lost N
2021 Ana Gomes 540,823 13.0 (#2) Lost N
2026 Jorge Pinto 38,588 0.7 (#9) Lost N

European Parliament

Election List leader Votes % Seats +/– EP Group
2014 Rui Tavares 71,495 2.2 (#6)
0 / 21
 –
2019 60,446 1.8 (#8)
0 / 21
 0
2024 Francisco Paupério 148,572 3.8 (#7)
0 / 21
 0

Local elections

The following results include LIVRE led coalitions.

Election Votes % Mayors +/- Councillors +/- Assemblies +/- Parishes +/-
2017 17,417 0.06
0 / 308
 New
0 / 2,074
 New
1 / 6,461
 New
2 / 27,019
 New
2021 24,685 0.05
0 / 308
 0
1 / 2,064
 1
3 / 6,448
 2
3 / 26,797
 1
2025 58,440 1.07
0 / 308
 0
1 / 2,058
 0
26 / 6,463
 23
41 / 27,973
 38

Regional Assemblies

Region Election Main candidate Votes % Seats +/- Government
Azores 2016 José Manuel Azevedo 227 0.2 (#11)
0 / 57
 New No seats
2020 362 0.4 (#11)
0 / 57
 0 No seats
2024 735 0.6 (#8)
0 / 57
 0 No seats
Madeira 2023 Tiago Camacho 858 0.6 (#10)
0 / 47
 New No seats
2024 Marta Sofia 911 0.7 (#11)
0 / 47
 0 No seats
2025 959 0.7 (#10)
0 / 47
 0 No seats

References

  1. ^ "Livre anuncia apoio a Seguro na segunda volta". Jornal de Notícias. 22 January 2026. Archived from the original on 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  2. ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2022). "Portugal". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  3. ^ Ana Raposo Marques; et al. "A esquerda verde progressista do Século XXI" [The Progressive Green Left of the 21st Century] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Declaração de Princípios".
  5. ^ a b Tilo Wagner (24 April 2014). "Upstart Portuguese party wants more Europe". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  6. ^ Morlino, Leonardo; Raniolo, Francesco (30 March 2017). The Impact of the Economic Crisis on South European Democracies. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-52371-2.
  7. ^ Quari, Serenella (17 September 2024). "Portugal's Parliamentary Elections in 2024: A Shift in the Political Landscape on the 50th anniversary of the democratic revolution of 25 April 1974". Diritti Comparati (in Italian). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  8. ^ Andrei Khalip (8 October 2019). "Portugal president asks Socialist Costa to form government". Euronews. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  9. ^ Demony, Catarina; Goncalves, Sergio (15 October 2019). "Portugal's new cabinet list approved; Centeno keeps finance job". Reuters. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  10. ^ [8][9]
  11. ^ European Spring Webpage (retrieved on 17 October 2018)
  12. ^ Livre announcement (retrieved on 19 January 2022)
  13. ^ Maria Lopes (23 May 2014). "Rui Tavares recebe apoio da cúpula dos Verdes europeus". Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  14. ^ ACÓRDÃO N.º 316/2017 Tribunal Constitucional. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  15. ^ a b Paul Mitchell (25 May 2015). "Moves for a "left alliance" government accelerate in Portugal". World Socialist Web Site. International Committee of the Fourth International. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  16. ^ "Declaração de princípios aprovada na reunião de 16 de novembro de 2013". LIVRE (in Portuguese). 16 November 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  17. ^ "Rui Tavares diz-se vítima de "caça ao independente" lançada por Louçã". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). 22 June 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Partido Livre inicia hoje congresso fundador e de eleição de órgãos". ionline (in Portuguese). 31 January 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  19. ^ "ACÓRDÃO N.º 255/2014" (in Portuguese). Tribunal Constitucional. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  20. ^ "ACÓRDÃO N.º 283/2015" (in Portuguese). Tribunal Constitucional. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Mudou o nome do Livre. Agora é Livre/Tempo de Avançar" (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Joacine Katar Moreira é a primeira deputada negra em Portugal?". Poligrafo (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  23. ^ "Joacine grita ao congresso: "Isto é uma perseguição. Elegeram uma mulher negra que foi útil para a subvenção"". Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 18 January 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Joacine Katar Moreira: "Fui eu que ganhei as eleições sozinha"". Público (in Portuguese). 24 November 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  25. ^ Penela, Rita. "Livre: "A partir deste momento tudo o que Joacine disser ou fizer na ação política não nos representa"". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  26. ^ Ribeiro, Nuno (15 December 2021). "CNE dá razão ao Livre pela exclusão dos debates eleitorais". Público. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  27. ^ Pincha, João Pedro (31 January 2022). "A festa de anos do Livre teve a eleição de Rui Tavares como brinde". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Livre em êxtase após eleição de grupo parlamentar com quatro deputados". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Membros do Livre dizem que vitória de Francisco Paupério nas primárias para as europeias foi "chapelada eleitoral"". Visão (in Portuguese). 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  30. ^ Portugal, Rádio e Televisão de (19 May 2025). "Legislativas. Livre foi o único partido de esquerda a crescer". Legislativas. Livre foi o único partido de esquerda a crescer (in Portuguese). Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  31. ^ "Livre elegeu mais de 50 autarcas em busca de novos "protagonismos"". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). 13 October 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  32. ^ a b Lusa, Agência. "Presidenciais: Deputado do Livre Jorge Pinto será candidato a Belém". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  33. ^ "Manuel João Vieira surpreende nas urnas ao ficar à frente de Jorge Pinto". www.nowcanal.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  34. ^ "Jorge Pinto apela a voto em Seguro na segunda volta". www.sabado.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  35. ^ "Estatutos do LIVRE".
  36. ^ Lopes, Maria João (27 June 2015). "Sampaio da Nóvoa somou 87% dos votos no referendo do Livre/Tempo de Avançar". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  37. ^ Lopes, Isabel Mendes (21 September 2020). "LIVRE apoia Ana Gomes nas eleições presidenciais". LIVRE (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  38. ^ Santos, Miguel Pereira. "Imbróglio presidencial no Livre. Jorge Pinto (ainda) não é oficial, referendo interno por definir e Sá Fernandes vai apoiar Seguro". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  39. ^ Santos, Miguel Pereira. "Primárias. Livre permite votos em Seguro, Catarina Martins e António Filipe mas não os coloca no boletim". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  40. ^ "Livre oficializa apoio a deputado Jorge Pinto nas presidenciais". www.jornaldenegocios.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  41. ^ "Rendimento Básico Incondicional. É mesmo possível e desejável recebermos dinheiro por existirmos?". Rádio Renascença (in European Portuguese). 14 January 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  42. ^ Martins, Paula (25 January 2022). "The politics of Portugal – who are the parties?". The Portugal News. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  43. ^ Silva, Lara (31 January 2022). "2022 Portuguese General Election: Socialist Party Wins Majority". Portugal.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
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