After eight years of socialist government, 10.8 million Portuguese go to the polls on Sunday in early legislative elections, the result of which will determine the color of the party that will appoint the next prime minister. Organized suddenly after the resignation of Prime Minister Antonio Costa (Socialist Party, PS) on November 7, following his alleged involvement in an influence-peddling case. 1These elections may witness the far-right strengthening its position as a third political force in the country, three months before the European elections.
The party established itself in five years
The fight for first place between socialist Pedro Nuno Santos (PS) and conservative Luis Montenegro (SDP, leader of the Democratic Alliance – AD coalition) is expected to be close. If the two parties combine between 25 and 32% of voting intentions according to the polls, everything indicates that the Chiga (Enough) party may come directly in second place, as it will receive 15% of the votes. Led by the radical André Ventura, a former sports commentator with xenophobic rhetoric and a habit of shocking statements, the far-right party has managed to establish itself on the Portuguese political scene in just five years, obtaining 12% of the vote in the presidential elections. From 2021 or until 12 MPs (out of 230) during the legislative elections in January 2022.
Andre Ventura, who campaigned in the past with a slogan using the “New State” slogan of Salazar's dictatorship, aims to establish himself as a key partner in forming a majority if the Democratic Alliance wins on Sunday. This will come as a shock on the eve of the fiftieth anniversary on April 25H Anniversary of the Carnation Revolution.
Protest vote
While many analysts attribute the rise of Chiga to the accumulation of corruption scandals – which would have fueled voter disillusionment with the main parties and encouraged protest voting – the United Democratic Alliance (which brings together the Communist Party and the Green Party), also sees another reason.
She received 2 to 4% of voting intentions, as she noted on her show “ The continuity of right-wing policies implemented by socialist governments “In fact, the country has a macroeconomic situation that has been praised by Brussels and international financial institutions, particularly with the improvement of public accounts following the austerity policies implemented by António Costa regarding the budget deficit and debt. The CDU condemns.” Inability (socialists) to respond to people's problems, favoring (privileging) the interests of economic groups “.
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