Portugal's politics and elections

[Mike88]

Because today marks the 44th anniversary of the revolution that brought back democracy to Portugal, here's a chart of all the national party elections held since 1975:



Labels:

Cons. 1975 - Constitutional Assembly election 1975
Gen. 1976 - General elections
Local 1976 - Local elections
Euro. 1987 - European Parliament elections
Indy - Independent candidates
OBN - Others/Blank/Null or Invalid

Notes:

*Results for CDU also include results from PCP between 1975 and 1976, results from APU (coalition between PCP and MDP) between 1979 and 1985, and results of CDU (PCP/PEV) since 1987;

*Between 1979 and 1982 PSD, CDS and PPM contested local and general election in a coalition called Democratic Alliance (AD). Results from local elections are the sum of PSD, CDS, PPM and AD candidacies;

*In the 2004 European elections, PSD and CDS formed a coalition called Força Portugal (FP);

*In the 2014 European elections, PSD and CDS formed a coalition called Portugal Alliance (AP);

*In the 2015 General elections, PSD and CDS formed a coalition called Portugal Ahead (PàF);

[Mike88]

The controversial new housing law proposed by the government:

The PS government proposed last week a new housing law that is creating a lot of discussion and more divisions between owners and tenants. The government proposed lowering taxes for house contrats for 10 years, although currently the vast majority of contracts only last 1 year, but the most controversial part is the temporally handover of private devolute housing to the State, in order to create affordable housing. For example, an old house in ruins disputed in court by heirs, could fall in the hand of the State. The State would, obviously, recompense owners, but it's unclear what would happen if they refuse this temporarily use by the State.


Houses in the old part of Lisbon city.

Housing owners associations are outraged by this proposal by the PS saying it's "unconstitutional" and of an extreme violence. They also accuse the government of generalizing a problem more common in Lisbon than in the rest of the country, saying that new rents in Porto city are half of what Lisbon city proposes. On the other hand, tenants associations are very happy with the PS's proposal, saying, although it's not enough.

And, today, the government approved more housing laws aimed to older people. With the new proposed legislation, owners are forbidden of dumping tenants in the event of structural repair works to a building, plus older people living in the same house for more than 25 years will have their contracts automatically updated and could not be dumped from their houses.

So, what's the impact of this new legislation? Well, owners and tenants associations are even more split now because of this legislation, and there's doubts if this will solve the housing problem in Portugal. Pedro Magalhães, one of Portugal's leading pollsters, posted some interesting numbers about the % of owners and their vote in the 2015 elections, with the title: "This housing law from the PS has everything to go well". (not)

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We'll see how this plays out. I'm personally, not very confident about this new law.

[Mike88]

António Costa presented his motion for his reelection in the PS congress next month:


António Costa unveiling his motion.

In Portimão, Faro district, a PS stronghold, Costa presented his motion for the upcoming PS congress this May. Costa, who is up for reelection as GS of the PS, is facing a challenge by Daniel Adrião, who is very critical of Costa strategy for the PS, but he has no chance at all, and Costa will easily win 90%+ of the votes, probably.

In his motion, called "Generation 20/30", Costa unveils what seems to be a "blueprint" of the PS strategy to the 2019 elections, with talk of electoral reinforcement and, curiously or maybe not, basically no mention of the BE and PCP support to his government. In terms of policy, Costa motion proposes:

- Climate change: More renewable energies in the hydric domain as well wind power; fight against drought and desertification in the interior of the country; and make Portugal carbon free by 2050;

- Demography: Portugal has a population problem and more policies towards better jobs and family support are needed; bring emigrants back and launch a national policy of attracting and welcoming immigrants to Portugal;

- Digital Society: the risks of modern technology to the working population; there should be a a legal framework that reconciles "the right to employment for everyone" with "the principles of our model of social protection"; also Portugal should aim to reach 3% of GDP in I&D by 2030;

- Inequality: More access to Education and Better wages to create "social cohesion", in order to make Portugal open and inclusive; strengthening of the Welfare State and universal and free public services; and sustained updating of the minimum wage;

[Mike88]

In order to all those who visit this topic know more and keep more updated on what's going on in Portugal, either in politics or general news, here's a list of the main newspapers and TV networks you can follow: (i will add political leanings, plus party preferences, although the media in Portugal doesn't have the tradition to reveal their political intention, but they are understood)

Newspapers:

Correio da Manhã - Right (similar to the Daily Mail); no party preference
Expresso - Center to Center-right; no party preference
Jornal de Notícias - Centrist; tilt PS
Público - Center-left (similar to the Guardian); PS
Sol - Center-right; PSD
Diário de Notícias - Center to Center-left; PS
Jornal i - Center-right; PSD
Jornal de Negócios - Centrist; no party preference
Observador - Center-right; PSD
Eco - Centrist; no party preference

TV networks:

RTP News (state owned) - no party preference
SIC News (private) - no party preference
TVI 24 (private) - no party preference
CMTV (private) - no party preference

[Mike88]

In Croca parish, Penafiel, Porto district, 3 lists will be on the ballot. PSD/CDS didn't present a list. The list is the following:

CDU - Unitary Democratic Coalition
PS - Socialist Party
MPC - Movement for Croca

Correction about the Croca local by-elections: It seems PSD will in fact contest the election under the Movement for Croca. It's a "coalition" between the PSD and independent movements.

The by-election is scheduled to May 27th.

Sorry about the misinformation.

[Mike88]

Corruption case involving former PS minister Manuel Pinho haunts political parties:


Manuel Pinho, minister of Economy between 2005-2009.

Manuel Pinho, former Economy minister under José Sócrates PS government, is in the center of a big controversy. Last week, newspapers started reporting that the DA office in Portugal asked for the FBI's help in a corruption investigation involving Manuel Pinho. Mr Pinho, who was a teacher in Columbia University, is suspected of receiving payments from EDP, the biggest energy company in Portugal, and of helping EDP during his tenure in office, in order for them to maintain their dominance in the energy market in Portugal. But there's more. Pinho is also suspected of receiving more than 2 million euros from GES, a subsidiary of the former Espirito Santo Bank (BES). During his tenure in office, he received more than 700,000 euros. The payments started in 2002 and dragged on towards 2013. BES was one of the main chairholders in EDP, Energies of Portugal.

This case is another embarrassment to the political class, particularly the PS which already has former PM José Sócrates involved in many corruption cases. But, all political parties stayed silent, which was heavily criticized by pundits, about this until yesterday. On Sunday, Rui Rio, PSD leader, demanded Mr Pinho to explain himself immediately in Parliament, because he says that there has been reports, for some years now, of pitiful cases of corruption in politics that denigrate the political class. Today, all parties subscribed the PSD position and also demand explanations from Manuel Pinho.

[Josecardoso17]

In order to all those who visit this topic know more and keep more updated on what's going on in Portugal, either in politics or general news, here's a list of the main newspapers and TV networks you can follow: (i will add political leanings, plus party preferences, although the media in Portugal doesn't have the tradition to reveal their political intention, but they are understood)

Newspapers:

Correio da Manhã - Right (similar to the Daily Mail); no party preference
Expresso - Center to Center-right; no party preference
Jornal de Notícias - Centrist; tilt PS
Público - Center-left (similar to the Guardian); PS
Sol - Center-right; PSD
Diário de Notícias - Center to Center-left; PS
Jornal i - Center-right; PSD
Jornal de Negócios - Centrist; no party preference
Observador - Center-right; PSD
Eco - Centrist; no party preference

TV networks:

RTP News (state owned) - no party preference
SIC News (private) - no party preference
TVI 24 (private) - no party preference
CMTV (private) - no party preference

in my opinion i would change Diário de Noticias to center right(neoliberal),and SIC as clear preference for PSD xD

[Mike88]

In order to all those who visit this topic know more and keep more updated on what's going on in Portugal, either in politics or general news, here's a list of the main newspapers and TV networks you can follow: (i will add political leanings, plus party preferences, although the media in Portugal doesn't have the tradition to reveal their political intention, but they are understood)

Newspapers:

Correio da Manhã - Right (similar to the Daily Mail); no party preference
Expresso - Center to Center-right; no party preference
Jornal de Notícias - Centrist; tilt PS
Público - Center-left (similar to the Guardian); PS
Sol - Center-right; PSD
Diário de Notícias - Center to Center-left; PS
Jornal i - Center-right; PSD
Jornal de Negócios - Centrist; no party preference
Observador - Center-right; PSD
Eco - Centrist; no party preference

TV networks:

RTP News (state owned) - no party preference
SIC News (private) - no party preference
TVI 24 (private) - no party preference
CMTV (private) - no party preference

in my opinion i would change Diário de Noticias to center right(neoliberal),and SIC as clear preference for PSD xD

Diário de Notícias, in my view, is center to center-left. Their new editor is Ferreira Fernandes, which is known to be center-left, and they have a number of center left pundits like Fernanda Câncio, José Sócrates former girlfriend, and others.

SIC, actually i was divided but ultimately labeled with "no party preference" because, although its owner is Francisco Pinto Balsemão, one of the founders of the PSD, the network normally hits hard on both PS and PSD at the same level. And their polling, Eurosondagem polls, have a history of underpolling the PSD.

[Mike88]

May starts and a lot of events are to happen:

First, a lot of strikes and rallies against the government:

- Health workers strike on 2 and 3 May;

- Schools workers strike on May 4th;

- Doctors strike on 8, 9 and 10 May;

- Infrastructures of Portugal workers strike on 10 and 11 May (Trains and Roads); (canceled after an agreement between unions and the company was reached.)

- Teachers unions protest rally on May 19th;

Second, political events as well:

- Leadership elections in the PS on 11 and 12 May: António Costa faces a challenge by Daniel Adrião;

- Local by-elections in Vacalar and Croca: PSD will defend Vacalar parish, while PS will try to hold on to Croca parish;

- PS congress on 25 and 27 May to be held in Batalha city, curiously a huge PSD stronghold.

[Mike88]

President of the PS says the party is ashamed by the Manuel Pinho and José Sócrates scandals:


Carlos César, PS's president.

Carlos César, President of the Socialist Party, said, today, that the party is "ashamed" by all the corruption scandals involving high profile members of the party, particularly José Sócrates and Manuel Pinho. In an interview to TSF radio, he also said the Sócrates case is even worse because he was Prime Minister, adding that there's a feeling of anger between many party members by the way the party was used to promote corrupt deals.

This is the first time the PS takes an official stance towards José Sócrates. Since Sócrates arrest, in November 2014, the PS's position, outlined by António Costa himself, has been "to politics what is politics and to justice what is justice", meaning Sócrates cases was a matter strictly for the justice. Now, the party's position has officially changed.


Former Economy minister, Manuel Pinho.

The Manuel Pinho case is continuing to send shock waves. After the PSD demanded answers from the former economy of José Sócrates, almost in tsunami mode, all parties asked the same thing with some parties, like BE, asking for a special committee to investigate the controversial "energy rents" given by the government to EDP, Energies of Portugal, and others. Some pundits are critical of this tactic from the BE saying it will only "whitewash" Manuel Pinho and solve basically nothing. Manuel Pinho himself has been adviced by its lawyers to go Parliament, but to say absolutely nothing, meaning, silence.


Pedrógão Grande wildfire, June 2017.

Adding to this, Pedrógão Grande is back in the news. Público newspaper reports, today, that a report, done by Civil Protection agency, found that many documents from the handling of the June 2017 massive wildfires, were destroyed or missing. The PSD and CDS say this proves the government was incompetent during the wildfire, but the government denies, calling it "Fake News", by saying all documentation has been sent to the Justice department, DA office, and that it wasn't disclosed because it's still under investigation by the Attorney general.

[Mike88]

What the hell is going on in the Socialist Party?? One day after many party officials said they are ashamed by the Sócrates corruption scandals, in their twitter page, they posted a picture of José Sócrates about the 45 years of the party:


https://twitter.com/psocialista/status/992007614602121219
Seriously!

[Grand Wizard Lizard of the Klan]

So earlier mentioned healthcare workers strike already had place
https://twitter.com/EPSUnions/status/991957139487895552


I wonder what was the reactions of ordinary people on the strike? Did they supported the strike or people were mainly pissed off by cancelled operations?

[Mike88]

So earlier mentioned healthcare workers strike already had place
https://twitter.com/EPSUnions/status/991957139487895552


I wonder what was the reactions of ordinary people on the strike? Did they supported the strike or people were mainly pissed off by cancelled operations?

People, in general, support the strike, myself included, because the conditions and wages in the NHS are becoming a joke. Hearing on the news, some people didn't had any problems with the strike, others had consultations, operations cancelled... it varies from hospital to hospital, Coimbra hospitals seem the most chaotic, according to unions. But, the feeling i get is that people are resigned, saying "well, what can you do?".

[Josecardoso17]

What the hell is going on in the Socialist Party?? One day after many party officials said they are ashamed by the Sócrates corruption scandals, in their twitter page, they posted a picture of José Sócrates about the 45 years of the party:


https://twitter.com/psocialista/status/992007614602121219
Seriously!

ahahahah when i first saw the post i was like :this is not going to end well xD
Most stupid thing in portuguese politics recently

[Josecardoso17]

So earlier mentioned healthcare workers strike already had place
https://twitter.com/EPSUnions/status/991957139487895552


I wonder what was the reactions of ordinary people on the strike? Did they supported the strike or people were mainly pissed off by cancelled operations?

I also think the majority of the people support the strike .But it´s normal that the right side of the electorate says things like: "They have great wages " and other stuff like that .But the truth its not the wages mainly but the work hours and the condicions of the hospitals

[Mike88]

ahahahah when i first saw the post i was like :this is not going to end well xD
Most stupid thing in portuguese politics recently

The best joke i've heard of about this, is that the PS needs to fire the PSD member that runs the digital communication department in the party.  I mean, seriously, the guy has to be from the PSD... the timing is amazing.

Also, Costa has also talked about these scandals: "It will be dishonor for democracy" if any illegalities are confirmed from the Sócrates governments.


António Costa with Canada's PM, Justin Trudeau.

During his visit to Canada, the PM was faced by the internal uproar in the PS regarding the corruption scandals involving José Sócrates and Manuel Pinho, former colleagues of him when Costa himself was minister of internal affairs (2005-2007). Costa says no one is above the law in Portugal, although Costa stuck with the phrase he has been using to distance himself from the Sócrates mess: "to politics what is politics and to justice what is justice"

[Mike88]

BREAKING NEWS: José Sócrates leaves the PS:


José Sócrates.

José Sócrates has handed over his membership card of the PS and is officially leaving the party. His decision was made after many PS politicians, including the PM António Costa, said they were ashamed by Sócrates. In an op-ed in Jornal de Notícias, Sócrates writes that it's time to end this mutual embarrassment.

Sócrates became a member of the PS in 1981, was elected as an MP in 1987, became secretary of environment and deputy minister during Guterres governments (1995-2002) and was elected leader of the PS in September 2004. In the 2005 election, Sócrates wins the first, and still only one, absolute majority for the PS, winning 45% of the votes and 121 seats. Four years later, in 2009, he was re-elected as PM with 37% of the votes, but lost his 3rd bid in 2011 with just 28%. In 2014 he was arrested for corruption charges.

[Mike88]

PS divided after Sócrates announces departure from the party:

It was a bombshell news, late last night, when newpapers started reporting that José Sócrates was leaving the Socialist Party. During the morning, as the news was being digested, the party was deeply divided: Some PS MPs and politicians like, Renato Sampaio, Ascenso Simões, Isabel Santos or Daniel Adrião were sadden by the decision made by Sócrates and criticized the "public lynching" he was receiving by the party leadership.



Others, like MEP Ana Gomes or António Arnaut, the known "Father of the NHS", said it was time for him to go, but warned that this could be use by Sócrates as a way to victimize himself, adding also that the PS needs to look to the mirror and grasp everything that happened.

The PM, António Costa, was, once again, caught by surprise by the events. Still in Canada, Costa said he was stunned by Sócrates departure and contradicted Sócrates opinion, that the leadership of the party, headed by Costa, never supported him, by saying that the PS position, towards Sócrates, never changed.

How all of this is impacting the PS's image is still a big doubt.

[Mike88]

Report about the Vacalar parish local by-election on May 20th:


Vacalar parish.

On May 20th, voters in Vacalar parish, Armamar, Viseu District, will elect a new parish assembly. There are 2 lists on the ballot: the PSD list and an independent list of PSD dissidents. According to local media, the population are calling it the "cummer breach elections" (zanga das comadres in Portuguese) because of the internal infighting in the local PSD.

Vacalar parish was always governed by the PSD since the first local elections in 1976. Armamar municipalty, as a whole, is also a huge PSD bastion, voting for the party in every single election (General, Local and European) since 1985.

On May 20th, the almost 200 voters in the tiny parish will decide if they continue to stick with the PSD or change to the "PSD dissidents".

[Mike88]

Political update:

With the Sócrates debacle still in the air, other political events occurred. The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, gave an interview to Público newspaper/RR radio that raised some eyebrows. First, Marcelo wants the 2019 budget approved either with votes of the left or the PSD. If neither happens, snap election in early 2019 will occur immediately. Second, he criticized the slow progression of big corruption cases have in the Justice system and, thirdly, he said that he would not stand for a second term if the devastating 2017 wildfires are repeated.


Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and António Costa.

This interview raised some eyebrows because of some statements. Pundits say Marcelo wanted to warn parties to be responsible, although the question of not running for a second term because of the wildfires, may be a direct hint to Costa to act fast in terms on wildfire prevention.

The PM, António Costa, when asked about the President's interview simply said "Marcelo doesn't give hints from newspapers", and that the warnings weren't for his government.


Civil protection workers.

Wildfire prevention that is again in the top of headlines because the main commander of the Civil Protection agency, agency responsible for fire and wildfire combat organization, resigned because of "personal reasons". Newspapers report that the former command was in deep disagreement with the Government's strategy for the 2018 wildfire combat and resigned because of that. PSD and CDS are criticizing the government for the "chaos" in the Civil Protection and say, with irony, that "only Saint Peter can save us". Rui Rio also used irony to talk about this, saying "personal reasons is what you say when you don't want no one to know the real reasons", adding that he's worried about the weak command in the Civil Protection.

Another controversy surrounding the political parties and their MPs, is the "Home Subsidies" scandal. The media are reporting the many MPs, from all parties, are using 2 or 3 different home to gain subsidies of residences, although many of them live in Lisbon. The Parliamentary transparency committee has already proposed changes in the rules to end this abusing use of taxpayers money, but the PS's position, of reservation, is creating discomfort in the rest of the parties.

Doctors also started a 3 day strike against the government's policies towards the NHS, and are aiming directly towards the Health minister, Adalberto Campos Ferreira. In a rally against the minister, today, union members and protesters shouted "Bye Bye Berty", alluding to the minister's name and wanting his resignation. Posters against the minister were also put up in Lisbon by unions:


Poster against the minister.

[Mike88]

Parliament approved new law that allows sex change by age 16 without medical report:

The new gender identity law, which lowers the age to change gender on the ID Card and ends with the obligation to submit a medical report to do so, was approved this Friday morning. PS, BE, PEV, PAN and 1 PSD MP voted in favour. PSD and CDS voted against. PCP abstained.

Overall numbers:

109 In favour (PS, BE, PAN, PEV, 1 PSD MP)
106 Against (PSD, CDS)
  15 Abstain (PCP)

BREAKING NEWS: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Republic, has vetoed the new sex change law. The law will now be returned to Parliament.

[Mike88]

More ministers of the former Sócrates government are being investigated:

The DA office is finishing another investigation about alleged corruption deals involving public-private partnerships on freeway roads during the Sócrates government. According to the media, Mário Lino, former minister of public works, António Mendonça, former minister of Infrastructure, and Paulo Campos, former secretary of public works, have been caught in wiretaps. Former minister of finances, Teixeira dos Santos, and the former president of the company Roads of Portugal, Almerindo Marques, were also investigated during this time.


Mário Lino (left), Paulo Campos and António Mendonça (right).

The investigation is focused on 11 renegotiated deals for public-private partnerships on freeway roads that may have damaged the taxpayers in many billions of euros. It also investigated alleged pressures by Sócrates government to the Roads of Portugal.

Adding to this, another secretary during Sócrates government and in the Costa government, João Vasconcelos, was charge for fraud over an alleged obtainment of illegal subsidies for his wife. The police found this after a search in his house. João Vasconcelos resigned from Costa's government in July 2017 after he was charged for receiving tickets for Euro 2016 games paid by GALP, Petrol of Portugal, a company that the government had law issues in Court. He was chairman of the PS 2018 congress organization team, but left the team, abruptly, two weeks ago claiming "personal motives"

Of course, the PSD is using this to fiercely attack the PS, and particularly Costa. Yesterday, the party used the Sócrates case to attack the PS, and also Costa, which visibly upset and infuriated the PM. Now, the party wants to to hold responsible, politically, the hard core of Sócrates government, which Costa was part of for some time. The PS is also accusing the PSD of "cheap shots" and condemn the "crisp rhetoric" and opportunism coming from the PSD.

[Mike88]

CDS is being mocked, on social media, for their campaign against Euthanasia:

CDS, from Almada city, Setúbal district, posted a party poster against euthanasia on their Facebook page. The problem is that the poster is being mocked for being..., well,... too obvious:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Of course, this made the day for social media. The post was later deleted by the party, but seriously, who came up with this?? It's priceless.

[Mike88]

PS leadership elections start today:


Costa during a rally in 2015, with PS supporters.

PS members are voting today and tomorrow, on leadership elections. According to the party, 51,191 members are registered to vote. Today, members in the districts of Aveiro, Beja, Bragança, Castelo Branco, Évora, Guarda, Leiria, Lisbon, Portalegre, Setúbal, Viana do Castelo and Viseu will cast their ballots for the leadership and to elect the 1,851 delegates for the party congress between 25 and 27 May. Tomorrow, it will be the turn for members in Faro, Coimbra, Porto, Santarém, Vila Real, Braga, Azores, Madeira and Abroad to cast their ballots.

Costa faces a challenge by Daniel Adrião. In 2016, Costa also faced a challenge by Adrião and won 95.3% against Adrião's 2.8%. The last polls to close will be at 10 pm on Saturday.

[Mike88]

Eurosondagem poll from May:

Vote share:


Popularity ratings:


Poll conducted between 3 and 9 May 2018. Polled 1,008 voters. MoE of 3.09%.