Latest news and stories about political analysis in culture in Portugal for expats and residents.
Former Prime Minister Passos Coelho has issued a stern warning to Luis Montenegro regarding the urgent need for structural reforms, signaling his intent to present a new transformative agenda for Portugal.
An opinion piece arguing that Portugal should aspire to better political outcomes rather than settling for the lesser of two evils.
An analysis of the diverse political perspectives among Israeli residents in Portugal as they approach an upcoming election.
Teresa Nogueira Pinto fears unanimism and a unanimity of opinion. The university professor believes that Portugal should value its past, that the media should be more attentive, and that politicians should not infantilise voters.
The value of the former prime minister will rise the moment he moves forward with a candidacy, because, within parties, the scent of power is a unifying force. Editorial by Sónia Sapage
A provocative question asking if there are any political figures other than Pedro Passos Coelho capable of leading a necessary reformist movement in Portugal.
Despite a high rejection rate, Ventura is in a technical tie with Carneiro and Montenegro as the best option for prime minister and is seen as the true opposition leader.
Seguro remains popular, but he is taking hits from both the left and the right. Is he turning into a decorative figure? Also, the duel between Germans and French for the 44.9% stake in TAP, Greta Thunberg in Paris, and Netflix at the World Cup.
The former President of the Republic warns that this trend has grown due to the weakness of institutions. Furthermore, André Ventura rejects an agreement with the PSD.
Passos Coelho left almost nothing unsaid in an interview with Maria João Avillez. Santana Lopes earned more as a commentator than as a mayor. Trump's weekend of attacks on Ukraine.
Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 United States presidential election, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil in 2022. However, neither of these moments marked the defeat of the right-wing populist movement. This is one of the central ideas that Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, author of “From Trumpism to Chega: The Contamination,” defends in this interview. On the podcast “O Mundo a Seus Pés,” he explains the commonalities between Donald Trump, the Bolsonaros, and André Ventura.
Almost everything in society, politics, and business is set up to make power transitions more painful and, therefore, more difficult. Opinion by Pedro Norton
Ângelo Correia advocates for coalition governments to ensure stability. The former Minister of Internal Administration states that the return of Passos Coelho depends on the crisis within the PSD.
The author reflects on the recurring phenomenon of political figures in Portugal who view themselves as the 'Desired One' (Desejado), a reference to King Sebastian. The text contrasts the historical King Sebastian with modern politicians, criticising those who rely on superficial policies, austerity measures, and self-delusion. It concludes that the myth of the 'Desired One' has never benefited the country and that such figures are ultimately revealed to be charlatans or deluded individuals.
Will there be an intellectual awakening on the right that, combined with a political party and a figure popular enough to rally people around them, will manage to achieve political hegemony in Portugal?
In this Monday's Exame, Rui Calafate makes a comparison between Pedro Passos Coelho and Mário Centeno and analyses the case of the twins.
Semifrio is the new political, social, and economic analysis programme on the public channel. Each edition starts by evaluating three national figures on a qualitative scale, which serves as the basis for a discussion on the main events and topics of the week.
Semifrio is the new political, social, and economic analysis programme on the public channel. Each edition starts by evaluating three national figures on a qualitative scale, which serves as the basis for a discussion on the main events and topics of the week.
Ventura on the cabinet, Europe on Russia, accelerating on the track and also returning to school
This Political Commission analyses the Prime Minister's silences during his speech at the PSD Summer University, when he did not want to talk about 'this, that, and the other' and sounded more like the man from the Gato Fedorento sketch who had 'I don't know what' happen to him.
Portuguese politics is increasingly resembling a reality show, where the focus has shifted from substantive debate to performative conflict designed for social media. While citizens are more engaged in the spectacle—voting and commenting on viral clips—they remain largely excluded from the actual decision-making processes, such as candidate selection and legislative negotiations. This creates a 'false consent,' where voters feel they have influence, yet the power structures remain opaque and centralized. To move beyond this, the author argues for greater transparency in how candidates are chosen and how policies are formed, urging citizens to demand a role in shaping the political narrative rather than just watching it unfold.
Miguel Costa Matos's think tank debates progressive policies. And ultimately, does Meta's agreement with the US serve to protect the online safety of young people?
Donizete Rodrigues, a professor at the University of Beira Interior, explains how Chega could become the official party of evangelicals in Portugal and how the conservative women's movement serves Ventura's “intelligent strategy”.
It felt like we were back in the 90s: Montenegro comparing himself to Cavaco, Carneiro aligning himself with Guterres. Is the formula for success buried in their past?
These days, political 'rentrées' serve as carefully staged pseudo-events designed to favour the narratives of the parties promoting them. This was the case with the Pontal Festival, which marked its 50th anniversary this year. The first edition took place on 29 August 1976, on a date that could mark the return to work. Half a century later, in Quarteira, the leader of the PSD and Prime Minister (the roles become blurred in these types of events) called for an end to 'modern censorship'.
Montenegro and Carneiro returned from their holidays with speeches inspired by the past. Between Cavaco and Guterres, this is proof that national politics is turning into a long trip back to the 90s.
Living in freedom means accepting that we are the sole authors of our choices and the primary custodians of our failures.
Anselmo Crespo, a commentator for CNN Portugal, believes that the fact that 'we are all suspicious' about whether the Chega party might have staged the vandalism of its office in the Assembly of the Republic is 'a very worrying sign for Portuguese society regarding democratic institutions'.
Montenegro's 'cliff of love' and the 10 cents that fly away in the 'Volta' programme. Meanwhile, the PS can rest easy because it is leading the polls and acting as a 'stabiliser'.
There is a problem in Portugal with the Government, but also with the opposition. This is the analysis of Miguel Sousa Tavares, who also examined the controversy surrounding national exams and the issue of NATO.
