The Liberal Initiative (IL) head of the list for the European elections in June, João Cotrim Figueiredo, considered this Monday that the name of Sebastião Bugalho as the head of the AD list surprised "everyone", but that the only argument of the prime minister, Luís Montenegro, to justify the choice was the fact "of being known". "I think it's not enough", he said.

In an interview with SIC Notícias, Cotrim Figueiredo considered that "moving from journalist to commentator or from commentator to politician may have some ethical problems", but he guaranteed that he will "wait to see what Sebastião Bugalho's European thinking is".

Regarding the fact that Rui Moreira was not Luís Montenegro's choice to head the AD list for the European elections, the former leader of the IL guaranteed that he knows the mayor of Porto and that it never "seemed to him that it was a life dream". "I waited until this stage to confirm the name of Rui Moreira", he said. Regarding the choice of the AD having been a surprise, Cotrim Figueiredo answered: "I think it was for everyone, even for Sebastião Bugalho's co-workers".

Regarding the European elections, João Cotrim Figueiredo guaranteed that the IL wants to "make an optimistic campaign" and "happy". Despite the fact that Europe has "serious problems", Cotrim Figueiredo considered that "the Portuguese like the European Union a lot".

IL? "Has been leading the political agenda every day"

Cotrim Figueiredo considered that the Liberal Initiative "has been leading the political agenda every day" and that "Rui Rocha shows his political capacities and is recognized for them".

Regarding his resignation from the party leadership, Cotrim Figueiredo assumed that he is not a "wizard" and that he did not foresee that the Government would fall. Even so, he admitted that if he had known, he "probably" would have "changed the decision".

Tiago Mayan does not have the skills to lead the Liberal Initiative

Questioned about the fact that Tiago Mayan Gonçalves is being pointed out as the future leader of the Liberal Initiative, Cotim Figueiredo guaranteed that he "would not support him as the party's leader".

Despite having chosen and supported Tiago Mayan Gonçalves in the presidential elections in 2021, Cotrim Figueiredo guaranteed that he does not recognize him as having the skills to lead the Liberal Initiative. "I reviewed the qualities to be a candidate for President of the Republic, at that time, and today I do not see the qualities to be a party leader", he said.

Even so, Cotrim Figueiredo preferred not to specify which qualities he does not recognize in Tiago Mayan Gonçalves because that would imply "a personal assessment" that he does not want to be made public.

Read Also: IL approves João Cotrim Figueiredo as the head of the list for the European elections (Portuguese version)