World

Mariana Leitão claims middle class is "under attack"

During the launch party for the political year in Quarteira, the leader of Iniciativa Liberal criticizes government abandonment of the middle class.

29 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Mariana Leitão claims middle class is "under attack" — Archive photoPhoto: Samory Santos · Flickr · BY-SA

Mariana Leitão, leader of Iniciativa Liberal (IL), stated that the middle class in Portugal is "under attack" and has become "invisible" to government officials. This declaration was made during the party's event in Quarteira that marked the beginning of the political year for the liberals.

Leitão criticized the parties in government, particularly the Socialist Party (PS) and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), accusing them of abandoning the middle class. According to her, this social group has lost significant impact in elections, leading to its marginalization in public policies.

The IL leader emphasized that, after forty years of EU membership and an investment of €167 billion in European funds, Portugal still ranks at the bottom of the European bloc in terms of development.

She highlighted the need for policies that effectively support the middle class, which has been facing increasing difficulties.

These statements reflect the party's stance on social and economic issues that, according to Leitão, have been neglected by traditional parties.

The event in Quarteira thus served as a launch point not only for the political year but also for voicing criticism on the current state of Portuguese society and the unmet promises regarding the middle class.

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