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Tonight I’m at @LIVREpt closing rally. This ecosocialist, pro-EU party is the first in Portuguese history to be lead by a black woman, Joacine Katar Moreira, a historian and academic from Lisbon #Legislativas2019
According to @LIVREpt number 1 in Porto, Jorge Pinto, their #legislativas2019 campaign was done on €10,000 alone. Before the posters below showed up, white sheets of paper with the words “Being Livre (free) means...” were plastered around Porto and passers by could fill them in 
Joacine Katar Moreira, @LIVREpt PM candidate dancing & singing on stage during closing rally. While this kind of thing isn’t uncommon in Portuguese politics she has that priceless quality of feeling genuine (and genuinely enjoying herself) #legislativas2019 #portugueseelections
A EU flag is flown next to all the @LIVREpt flags as people dance to live music before erupting into “vote Livre” chants #Legislativas2019
To be honest, they could’ve stood for the worst politics ever and I’d still be here for the amazing Kora player they got - that’s some real good sh*t right there #sorrynotsorry
Most of the music acts tonight (as far as I could tell) were from Guiné Bissau (the birthplace of Katar Moreira) and the last song is called Clandestine. Performer just said “because we can’t forget our brothers who come in search of a better life” and audience erupted in cheers
No political speeches yet, but @KatarMoreira is actually singing in creole - now *that* is quite unheard of for a Portuguese politician #Legislativas2019
The political speeches are taking place now, but beyond the usual bluster of politics (of which all parties are guilty) I’m reading @LIVREpt proposals. Quite impressive:
1. Make racial discrimination a crime (it isn’t in Portugal)
1. Make racial discrimination a crime (it isn’t in Portugal)
2. Raise min wage to €900, reduce working week to 30h, introduce 30 paid holiday minimum
3. Introduce the #GreenNewDeal and become carbon neutral by 2030 (same as BE, but PS’ deadline is 2050)
4. Put psychoanalysis and mental health at the chore of the national health service
3. Introduce the #GreenNewDeal and become carbon neutral by 2030 (same as BE, but PS’ deadline is 2050)
4. Put psychoanalysis and mental health at the chore of the national health service
Meanwhile @KatarMoreira talks about being the “political discomfort needed for change” and against Fortress Europe 👏 #Legislativas2019
“The left doesn’t have to fear the left” says Katar Moreira
An little veiled attack on the Bloco de Esquerda which is Livre’s closest political force (indeed many of Livre’s members & supporters were once in Bloco)
She’s not the first speaker to do it either #legislativas2019
An little veiled attack on the Bloco de Esquerda which is Livre’s closest political force (indeed many of Livre’s members & supporters were once in Bloco)
She’s not the first speaker to do it either #legislativas2019
