Latest news and stories about populism in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Amid a national catastrophe and an election campaign, the JPP's initiative went unnoticed. But it should not have — it symbolises a new way of doing politics inspired by populism. Opinion by Manuel Carvalho
Seguro understood what some still have not realised: that Ventura is not a fascist at all, but rather a poor devil who has found a way to draw attention and climb the rungs of political power.
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), precariousness and a fear of making mistakes explain youth abstention better than apathy. A lack of credibility in politics pushes them away from the democratic centre and drives them towards populism.
André Ventura admits his populism. António José Seguro acknowledges that it is only the lowest common denominator, but the socialist slipped up and said his opponent was 'paid to speak'. The leader of Chega, without his camouflage, knows nothing about defence. Six statements from the debate analysed.
André Ventura tried to unite the right and saw the leading figures of that same right turn their backs on him. 'Alone', he is putting together a 'people against the elites' strategy to court the electorate that rejects socialism.
On the eve of the second-round campaign launch, André Ventura hardened his rhetoric, positioning himself as the 'people's candidate against the elites' and accusing the establishment of trying to silence his movement. He said Cavaco Silva’s support for António José Seguro was predictable but expressed surprise at Paulo Portas’s choice, insisting the popular vote will be enough to defeat Seguro. Having failed to unite the right and lost backing from leading figures, Ventura is pursuing a populist 'people against the elites' strategy while critics say he must draw clearer lines from political extremes.
André Ventura reframing the campaign, placing the emphasis on what he calls the elites set against him.
Margarida Davim says the public endorsements for António José Seguro have a limited effect and may even feed André Ventura's narrative of elites versus the people. The CNN Portugal commentator believes the effectiveness of those endorsements depends more on how they are used than on the list of names.
Miguel Santos Carrapatoso notes the endorsements by Cavaco Silva and Paulo Portas for António José Seguro, emphasising that they can give comfort to undecided voters but may also strengthen André Ventura's populist rhetoric. The CNN Portugal commentator recalls that Ventura reached the second round without significant institutional backing.
The guest in this episode is João Carvalho, a political scientist and researcher at ISCTE, who has been studying the movements of the European far right.
Albuquerque backed Mendes; Jardim urged votes for the admiral, as did the CDS Madeira leader and the Economy Minister. All were ultimately defeated by the leader of Chega, who won in the autonomous region. Within the regional PSD there are fears the victory could be repeated in the second round.
PROFILE || Between the liturgy of guilt and the arena of television commentary, André Ventura built a party in his image and an ambition that no longer fits in Parliament. In a presidential election year, the country once again measures itself against him, not so much by what he promises, but by the way he turns every platform, every controversy and every behind-the-scenes moment into power.
Ventura says that reaching the second round of the presidential election is the “greatest honour” he has ever had in his life and singles out the PSD and IL: “Now we'll see what they're made of.” The Chega candidate promises to fight against socialism.
The leader of Chega achieved a result identical to Marine Le Pen’s in the first round of the 2022 French presidential election. Only three populist leaders fared better in Europe, all in the east, and only one went on to the presidency.
'Ferraris for everyone' and 'wine from the taps' are among Manuel João Vieira's promises that caught The Guardian's attention. The presidential candidate appears on the British paper's front page.
António José Seguro (who runs the campaign he wants), Cotrim Figueiredo (who has adopted the mannerisms of populism) and Jorge Pinto (who quit without really quitting) are the Good, the Bad and the Villain.
The Finance Minister today warned centre-right voters against 'siren songs', arguing that only a vote for Marques Mendes can prevent the next President of the Republic from being 'a populist or a socialist'.
Miranda Sarmento warned against the 'siren songs' in these presidential elections.
In Guimarães, Ventura says Cotrim 'is not right in the head' and warns about the PS's fear. The candidate backed by Chega calls for a 'shake-up' on the 18th and mobilises supporters: 'the country wasn't made by polls'.
The presidential race continues to stir things up. In a single day, Cotrim found himself involved in two incidents that could damage his aspirations. Ventura is having his Le Pen moment. And there's much more in this newsletter.
The problem is not what Cotrim says, but what he left unsaid.
People keep asking how Trump, Ventura and the like were possible, rather than asking what kind of world made them possible — what kind of world allowed only they to stir the system's stagnant waters.
The trial run was in the European elections; now the candidate backed by IL is pushing further with the strategy used by populist parties, buoyed by the polls and support among young voters. After all, is the plan working or does it carry risks?
The retired admiral says the prime minister 'was wrong' to equate him with André Ventura.
