Political climate news in Portugal
Latest news and stories about political climate in Portugal for expats and residents.
Latest news and stories about political climate in Portugal for expats and residents.
Seguro argues that the country requires shared values during a period of political and social division.

A survey on the 25th of April and Portuguese democracy reveals that the number of Portuguese people satisfied with how democracy functions is practically equivalent to those who give it a negative rating. Even so, the majority of respondents consider that democracy, although imperfect, is better than any other political or government regime.

“You cannot give in to the far-right on anything. Nothing!”, the warning comes from Inês de Medeiros.
Alexandra Leitão, a commentator for CNN Portugal, states that “all of Chega's politics consist of telling lies in speeches, on social media, and at rallies.”

The discussion about the fundamental text is politically irresistible due to the ideological weight that fuels it. But there are other interesting and important debates taking place alongside it: the erosion of trust. Editorial by Pedro Candeias.

Is the PS afraid or not of using the word “left”? Given that it defines itself, or defined itself, as a “common home for humanists”.

Both the woke and anti-woke sectors have many similarities, not only in their themes but also in their methods. Both have engaged in practices of prohibition and cancellation. Opinion by José Pacheco Pereira.

No one shot at Kamala Harris. No one doused climate protesters with gasoline. The violence always comes from the same side.

Alongside the direct legitimation of left-wing violence, we find an indirect form of legitimation: silence, failing to highlight acts of violence committed by the left at the exact historical moment when a slight shift to the right is viewed as a threat.

The author reflects on recent political events in Portugal, drawing parallels between the current 'cleansing' of public institutions by the PSD and Chega parties and the intimidation tactics used by far-right groups in the late 1970s. The text highlights the dismissal of Mafalda Guerra Livermore, the rhetoric of André Ventura against RTP journalists, and the non-renewal of Rita Rato's contract at the Aljube Museum, suggesting a coordinated effort to remove left-wing figures from state-controlled positions.

The situation in the country needs to change. It is a lie that we are doing what citizens expect from those who govern them.

The author reflects on the dangers of complicit silence, referencing Martin Niemöller's famous warning to highlight how far-right rhetoric and divisive politics erode rights. The text criticises the Portuguese centre-right for adopting extremist agendas, starting with restrictive immigration policies that harm the economy, and moving on to proposed legislation that targets the rights of trans youth. It warns that this pattern of creating enemies and stripping away rights will inevitably lead to further attacks on workers, women, and reproductive rights, urging society to reject the politics of hate and division.

The removal of Francisco Frazão from the Teatro do Bairro Alto must be read as part of a regressive movement that is also reaching Portugal. Opinion by Pedro Adão e Silva

Locals reveal high expectations for the term of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's successor.

When politics constantly avoids rupture, change ceases to be an objective and becomes merely rhetoric. And a country governed that way does not progress — it resigns itself to weariness.

Does fate catch the fugitive around the very first corner, or is there no escape from fascism in this miserable chapter of history? Opinion by Maria Giulia Pinheiro

The headline indicates that while many are opposed to Ventura, that opposition will only unite or come into effect in the run-off (the second round of voting).

Most parties took the opportunity to take stock of the President's term, with PSD and CDS offering praise, Chega and IL criticising, and BE and PAN saying it was a source of instability.
