by Foreign Editorial Staff
The almost definitive data on the elections in Portugal: the socialists are the second force behind the centre-right. The far-right party flies (with which no one wants to ally)
Portugal moves to the right. According to the results which were already almost definitive at midnight (Italian time), the Socialist Party – in government until now – emerges from the polls reduced to the role of second force, behind the centre-right alliance, albeit with a gap of less than one percentage point . The far-right party Chega! double (at least) your votes.
* THE RESULTS – At midnight (Italian time) the counting had already reached almost 98% of the ballots with this result:
A D (centre-right): 29.6%
Socialist Party: 28.7%
Enough: 18.1%
In the last consultation in 2022 these were the results:
AD (centre-right) 31%
Socialist Party 41%
Enough!: 7%
*THE SEATS – The Portuguese TV channel RTP has carried out a first projection on the allocation of seats (again based on the exit polls). The picture emerges according to which no party has an absolute majority (116 seats out of 230) to govern. In fact, none of the centre-right parties have said they are willing to form alliances with Chega’s extremists, least of all the left-wing groups.
* THE SCENARIOS – The residual weight of the minor parties (liberals or left-wing bloc) could prove decisive at this point, even if they have collected “crumbs” at the polls. An alternative scenario could be that of a broad coalition, between socialists and the centre-right.
* THE SPRINT COUNT – The count took place quickly: counting began at 8pm (Italian time) and was favored by the fact that Portugal adopts a proportional system with blocked lists. In short, the calculation of preferences will not be necessary.
«The Portuguese want us in government: they want an executive made up of us and the centre-right Democratic Alliance. Today the season of bipartisanship is over in our country.” These are the first words of André Ventura, the leader of Chega, who doubled his votes.
Portuguese citizens were called to vote today to renew parliament, just two years after the previous elections. This Sunday’s early vote was scheduled following the sudden resignation of Prime Minister António Costa four months ago. The magistrates had intercepted him as part of an investigation concerning alleged favors from the government to friendly businessmen, only to later rectify: the intercepted Costa was only a namesake of the prime minister.
Too late: the government had already collapsed. And, despite having governed well, Costa has decided to take the country to the vote, with the risk – which now seems to have become reality – of being overtaken by his historic centre-right rivals.
The Portuguese elections are the last scheduled in the EU before the June vote for the renewal of the European Parliament.
Article being updated…
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March 10, 2024 (modified March 11, 2024 | 00:27)
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