🇵🇹 Portugal's politics and elections 2.0

[Mike88]

2021 Budget final votes: Parliament starts to debate and vote on the final draft of the 2021 budget as the slim margin of the 1st vote is likely to remain:

https://twitter.com/Publico/status/1329818897906733056

OE 2021: PCP presses Government: “We are prepared for everything” in the Budget

Parties started to discuss and vote the final draft of the 2021 budget in Parliament. A record 1,500 amendments for the budget were presented and this afternoon the government saw some "negative coalitions" against them in Parliament. The final vote is next Wednesday but the final outcome is still a bit up in the air, although the likeliest outcome is the repetition of the slim majority in the 1st vote. BE had talks with the government, but no positive outcome came from those meetings and now the government is banking in the PCP abstention, even though the Communists are saying the current draft "isn't enough".

[Mike88]

Eurosondagem poll for Sol newspaper on the 2021 presidential election:

Vote share %:

63.1% Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (+2.1)
10.1% Ana Gomes (+0.1)
10.0% André Ventura (-1.0)
  7.2% Marisa Matias (-1.3)
  5.0% João Ferreira (-0.5)
  1.3% Tiago Mayan Gonçalves (+0.3)
  3.3% Others (+0.3)

Poll conducted between 16 and 19 November 2020. Polled 1,525 voters. MoE of 2.51%.

[Mike88]

PSD-CHEGA agreement controversy: PSD machine and base support Rio in the agreement as many high profile members criticize the deal:

https://twitter.com/expresso/status/1329862216175284226

Extraordinary Congress discarded. PSD machine supports Rio in agreement with Chega

In the days after the PSD-CHEGA agreement in the Azores was announced, and the PSD letting the door open for future agreement if necessary in the national level, many high profile PSD members became very critical of the deal. Many pundits also said the PSD is making a huge mistake and a former PSD deputy, under Passos Coelho leadership, Jorge Moreira da Silva demanded a snap party congress to discuss this deal and lashed out against Rio for going against the values of the PSD. However, Expresso newspaper is reporting that the party machine and bases are all behind Mr Rio. A massive network of Whatsapp groups, covering more than 10,000 PSD members, shows, according to the newspaper, that PSD local leaders and members approve the deal and many PSD mayors across the country also support Rio on the CHEGA deal and accuse many of those high profile members of "living in a bubble" and that they don't know "the real world". However, local PSD leaders and even Rio's own leadership team are aware of the risks, but many are viewing this as the first step of the PSD return to power.

[Mike88]

PCP congress controversy: Costa says the law forbides him from stopping the congress, while Rio accuses the PM of protecting the Communists:

https://twitter.com/observadorpt/status/1330266076391858179

PCP Congress. Right accuses Costa of "lack of shame". CHEGA postpones national council

The new measures for 2nd extension of the State of Emergency, announced this afternoon by PM Costa, are creating more controversy surrounding the PCP national congress to be held next weekend in Loures city, a city which will have curfews during next weekend. Pressed by reporters, Costa said he cannot stop the congress as the 1986 law forbides him. However, PSD leader Rui Rio lashed out against Costa accusing him of protecting the PCP and that he's treating the Portuguese differently. He adds that the 1986 law doesn't say the government cannot advice or force the party to have a digital congress. Rio said in an TV interview last week, that if he was PM he would forbid congresses like the PCP one.

At the same time, CHEGA postponed their national council, also schedule for next week, after the PM announcement. Ventura said he doesn't agree with all the measures adopted by the PM but will comply as many Portuguese will have their liberties conditioned, he said. He also asked the PCP to postpone their congress. Law experts are divided on the issue: some say the government has the power to suspend the congress and force a digital congress, for example, while others say this would violate the spirit of the law. A controversy to continue during the next week.

[Mike88]

Intercampus poll for CM newspaper/CMTV on the 2021 presidential election:

Vote share %:

56.6% Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (+0.4)
16.1% Ana Gomes (-1.1)
10.5% André Ventura (+2.3)
  8.7% Marisa Matias (+2.6)
  2.3% João Ferreira (-0.3)
  1.6% Tiago Mayan Gonçalves (+0.1)
  4.2% Others (-4.0)

Poll conducted between 9 and 16 November 2020. Polled 622 voters. MoE of 3.90%.

[Mike88]

2021 Presidential elections: Voters infected with Covid or confined 10 days before the election will not be able to vote.

https://twitter.com/Publico/status/1330753267744317440

Covid-19: Infected and confined voters ten days before will not be able to vote

Voters that could be infected or forced to confinement 10 days before the 24 January 2021 elections will note be able to vote either early or on election day. The rules were announced today, as infected or confined votes can only ask for an early ballot if it is filled until 14 January 2021. Voters that could become infected after that date will be barred from voting. The Electoral Commission says the situation is "very complicated" and that a solution for every single situation is impossible. The Commission also adds they don't have the means to do more.

[Mike88]

It's now official: President Marcelo calls the Presidential election for January 24, 2021.

https://twitter.com/sapo/status/1331178069713969153

Marcelo marks presidential election for January 24

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has finally called the date for the 2021 Presidential elections. In a press release in the Presidency website, Marcelo called the elections for January 24, 2021 as expected. The election was called in the last possible date as it has to be called, at minimun, 60 days before the event. If necessary, a 2nd round would be held on 14 February. Candidates have now until December 24 to formalize their candidacies in the Constitutional Court and in order to be in the ballot, candidates have to collect a minimum of 7,500 signatures. There are currently, 11 candidates that expressed interest in running, while President Marcelo is only expected, now, to announce his reelection bid during December.

[Mike88]

Azores: New government is sworn in.

https://twitter.com/TSFRadio/status/1331279550764908551

New regional executive of the Azores has already taken office

The new Azores government, composed by PSD-CDS-PPM (the so-called AD), was sworn in this afternoon in the Azores regional Parliament, in Horta city. The new government has one vice-president, 10 secretaries and one undersecretary. The PSD has 8 secretaries, while CDS has the vice presidency and the Environment and Climate Change secretary and PPM has just the secretary related to Sea Affairs. In his first speech as President, José Manuel Bolieiro thanked his predecessor, Vasco Cordeiro, for the service he did as President between 2012 and 2020. He said the elections resulted in a desire to change by the Azoreans and that the new government is a mirror of the change. He added that he wants to persue dialogues and consensus with all branches of society by fighting poverty and helping those in most need. He concluded saying his government will defend individual liberties and fundamental rights, plus promoting the role of private initiative, the regulatory role of the state and the role of family in society.  

The PSD now governs the 2 autonomous regions in Portugal, like they did between 1976 and 1996.

[Mike88]

2021 Budget: "Negative coalitions" have already approved almost 40 proposals against the wishes of the government.

https://twitter.com/ojeconomico/status/1331299313327230979

OE2021: In the middle of the third day, almost 40 proposals have already been approved by a negative majority

The 2021 budget final votes continue with each proposal discussed and voted in Parliament. All parties presented amendments and proposals for the budget and some are being approved against the wishes of the PS and the government. So far, the PS has seen the right and the leftwing join forces to pass several proposals like: 400 new ICU beds until March 2021; stopping budget captivations for handicap former soldiers in the armed forces; more money for the reforestation of the Leiria National Forest, which was basically destroyed in the massive 2017 wildfires. The PSD also proposed an extension to moratoriums for businesses and families which received the votes of all parties except the PS. The media reports the government is angry with all these votes and is warning parties, especially the PSD, of the consequences of these votes will have in the budget.

However, the PS is negotiating some policies with the Communists in order to get their abstention on the final vote on Thursday. The PS and PCP agreed to pay 100% for workers in temporary layoff due to the pandemic and are also talking about other policies. The PS seems to have also gain the vote of PAN dissident MP, Cristina Rodrigues. Although it's expected the final vote will be a mirror of the 1st vote, tensions are palpable as the PCP hasn't made a clear decision and BE and PS have ended talks as the PS voted against several BE policies in the last few days of voting.

[Mike88]

2021 Budget: "Negative coalitions" have already approved almost 40 proposals against the wishes of the government.

The number has risen to 71 budget amendments approved against the wishes of the PS/Government. This number could grow today as more amendments/proposals will be voted and the overall cost, so far, of these proposals in the budget is more than 60 million euros. The most controversial today is the PSD proposal to reduce tolls in highways. The PS is accusing the PSD of irresponsibility as, according to the Parliamentary Budget Unit, this proposal could cost 231 million euros. Of these "negative coalitions", the PSD is the party that, so far, has seen most of their proposals approved:

27 PSD
13 PCP
12 PAN
10 PEV
  5 CDS
  2 JKM
  1 Cristina Rodrigues
  1 IL
  0 BE
  0 CHEGA

[Mike88]

As expected, BE will vote against the budget. The media is reporting sources from the party, adding that they say that after all the BE proposals were struck down with the help of the PS, no other option was possible. The decision will be ratified in a virtual party meeting this evening. Like in the 1st vote, all is in the hands of the PCP.

[Mike88]

2021 Budget: PCP announces abstention, like in the first vote, and the budget will pass.

https://twitter.com/JornalNoticias/status/1331702462927933440

PCP will abstain thus approving the State Budget

The Communists announced that they will abstain, like in the first vote in October, in the final vote tomorrow morning. There was some doubts about the PCP position but, at the same time, it was expected that at the end of the day, the PCP would save the budget. The party spokesperson said that the budget has some positives policies like increase of 10 euros in pensions by January 2021 and more investments in the NHS.

[Mike88]

2021 Budget: As the budget has the votes to pass, a new controversy emerges as PSD helps BE approve the stopping of more state money to the Novo Banco.

https://twitter.com/ECO_PT/status/1331859026842443778

Turn of events in Parliament throws confusion at Novo Banco

As the budget is likely to pass, with the abstention of PCP, PEV and PAN, a new controversy emerges as the PSD voted in favour of a BE proposal to stop an almost 500 million euros injection of money in the Novo Banco. The vote, held past midnight, stunned the PS and the government and they accuse the PSD of "irresponsibility" and "political opportunism". The injection of money is for the fund responsible to manage the liquidity of the bank and the agreement between the State, EU and the bank's owner says that an injection has to happen by May 2021, but the PSD has now stop it. The PSD says they are maintaining their vote as they defend that no more money should be spent in the Bank until the audit of the Court of Auditours is completed. The PSD is probably also forcing the government to present an emergency budget, by May, to accommodate the money. This adds to another blow for the government as the PSD also saw passed their proposal to reduce the cost of highway tolls.

The debate, this morning is expected to be quite tense between PS and PSD, as the PS will ask for a re-vote on the tolls and Novo Banco proposals.

[Mike88]

2021 Presidential elections: 3,000 new precincts will be created because of the pandemic.

https://twitter.com/expresso/status/1331899406522732544

Presidential will have three thousand more polling stations

The Electoral Commission will create more 3,000 polling station across the country in the 24 January elections due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim is to reduce possible gatherings of people in polling stations on election day and avoid lines. Early voting will also have polling stations in each municipality, before it was only in district capitals. Adding to this, 120 tons of protective equipment will be given to poll workers like masks, visors, surgical gloves and disinfectant gel.

[Mike88]

2021 Budget approved in Parliament, 108-105 in favour.

https://twitter.com/dntwit/status/1331968460948074496

OE2021 approved only with the favorable votes of the PS

The long debate and marathon for the 2021 budget is now over with the budget approved by Parliament. The vote was exactly the same as in the 1st vote with the PS being the sole party voting in favour, all of the right, plus BE, voting against and CDU, PAN and Independent MPs abstaining. However, the budget vote was full of tensions and accusations between PS and PSD, but also PS and BE. The tolls and Novo Banco votes created a sour mood between the two parties with PS accusing the PSD of damaging Portugal's reputation in the financial markets and that they are utter irresponsible. For their part, the PSD said they are only saving the taxpayers money, for now, until an audit is complete and said it will vote in favour of an emergency budget to accommodate the nearly 500 million euros for the Novo Banco. The government is considering asking the Constitutional Court to revert the Novo Banco decision.

Pundits and analysts are considering this budget a big mess with the PS losing crucial votes in Parliament and having a budget completely changed by the opposition. Some pundits say that this budget may have passed, but the next, for 2022, will not as the support of the government in Parliament is disappearing. 2021 seems destined to be a tough year, politically, with crucial midterm local elections in October that could force a snap general election in early 2022. Financially, the year also looks very complicated with, again, the lack of support the government is facing in Parliament.

[Mike88]

Novo Banco budget controversy: PS threatened PSD/Madeira MPs with the end of the Madeira Free Trade Zone.

https://twitter.com/observadorpt/status/1332041535563689984

Socialists threatened PSD / Madeira PMs with end of Free Trade Zone

During the re-vote of the Novo Banco loan this morning, there was a strange situation involving the PSD/Madeira MPs. While the proposal was being voted, the PSD/Madeira MPs said they would vote against, violating the party mandatory approval vote, but just a few minutes later, they retracted their vote and aligned with the party official vote. One PSD/Madeira MP was seen speaking on the phone the whole time. The episode erupted doubts and asked by it, PSD leader Rui Rio didn't know what happened. In reality, it seems that the PS basically threatened the PSD/Madeira MPs with the end of the Madeira Free Trade Zone, as they would not vote to renovate the license for the free tax zone., if the PSD MPs from the islands didn't vote alongside the PS. Observador newspaper said that 3 sources confirmed the PS threat. Ultimately, the PSD leadership caucus understood what was happening and forced their 3 MPs from Madeira to vote alongside the rest of the party.

Another episode in a weird budget debate.

[Mike88]

Covid-19 vaccines: Costa trashes DGS vaccine plan as it puts elderly people not a priority.

https://twitter.com/TSFRadio/status/1332286807812186113

António Costa rejects leaving elderly people out of priority access to the vaccine against Covid-19

The media is reporting today that the DGS, General Health Department, chairwoman, Graça Freitas, presented earlier this week, a plan on which groups should get the new Covid-19 vaccines first. The plan, according to the media, created huge outrage in the meetting with many doctors and health specialists furious with the DGS by putting elderly people on the bottom of the priorities. As the report was being analysed by pundits, PM Costa sent a tweet trashing the plan and saying elderly people have to be a priority:

There are technical criteria that can never be accepted by policy makers. It is not permissible to give up protecting life according to age. Lives have no expiration date.

At the same time, the government sent a press release saying no official decision about who should take the vaccine has been made and that every report about it is, right now, outdated. The government created a task force that has, until late December, to devize a plan to distribute the vaccine across the country.

[Mike88]

PCP congress starts: Controversy continues as Jerónimo de Sousa says the Communists are still the opposition against the PS.

https://twitter.com/RTPNoticias/status/1332395012265553921

XXI Congress of the PCP. PS in check at Jerónimo opening - RTP Notícias

The Communists 21st party congress started this morning in Loures city in the midst of a great controversy, as expected. The party only has 600 delegates and there are social distance rules, mandatory masks and disinfectant gel everywhere. In his opening speech, PCP leader Jerónimo de Sousa pressed the idea that the PCP is still in opposition against the PS and that the "leftwing majority" didn't go further because the PS is tied with special interests and class options. He also attacked those who are leading an "reactionary and anti-communist offensive" with the goal of destroying and weakening the party. This criticism is directed to the PSD which has been a huge voice against the organization of this congress. Even today, PSD leader Rui Rio accused the PCP of superiority and arrogance, and accused the government for being a coward in letting the congress happening in these conditions. The local PSD-Loures is also criticizing the PCP mayor of Loures of approving the use of a public school pavilion for delegates to eat during the congress.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

1. Who exactly appointed Graça Freitas to her position? Lmao

2. The PCP by now uses words like "class options" and "reactionary" just for scene, I assume? They sound like a struggling party.

[Mike88]

1. Who exactly appointed Graça Freitas to her position? Lmao

2. The PCP by now uses words like "class options" and "reactionary" just for scene, I assume? They sound like a struggling party.

1. Costa's government in 2018.

2. The PCP has always used this kind of words, it's not just a thing of the moment. If you hear their speeches is full of stuff like "the proletariat that hurts the workers", and so on. But, you're right on the last part: they are struggling and losing ground election after election since 2015. Prior to 2015, it wasn't uncommon to see CDU, (PCP-PEV alliance) with more than 10% of the votes in polls but now that's history as polling now shows them bellow 6% and in some times even behind PAN. The party suffered a lot with their support to the PS since 2015 as they supported budgets with policies completely against the platform of the Communists, plus it's becoming an old party as more leftwing younger voters are rejecting the party in favour of PAN or BE.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

1. Who exactly appointed Graça Freitas to her position? Lmao

2. The PCP by now uses words like "class options" and "reactionary" just for scene, I assume? They sound like a struggling party.

1. Costa's government in 2018.

2. The PCP has always used this kind of words, it's not just a thing of the moment. If you hear their speeches is full of stuff like "the proletariat that hurts the workers", and so on. But, you're right on the last part: they are struggling and losing ground election after election since 2015. Prior to 2015, it wasn't uncommon to see CDU, (PCP-PEV alliance) with more than 10% of the votes in polls but now that's history as polling now shows them bellow 6% and in some times even behind PAN. The party suffered a lot with their support to the PS since 2015 as they supported budgets with policies completely against the platform of the Communists, plus it's becoming an old party as more leftwing younger voters are rejecting the party in favour PAN and BE.

Yes, I understand that, what I meant is that I doubt people take the Communist rhetoric seriously anymore, especially considering the slump in support for the party.
Also wow, self-own for Costa.

[Mike88]

1. Who exactly appointed Graça Freitas to her position? Lmao

2. The PCP by now uses words like "class options" and "reactionary" just for scene, I assume? They sound like a struggling party.

1. Costa's government in 2018.

2. The PCP has always used this kind of words, it's not just a thing of the moment. If you hear their speeches is full of stuff like "the proletariat that hurts the workers", and so on. But, you're right on the last part: they are struggling and losing ground election after election since 2015. Prior to 2015, it wasn't uncommon to see CDU, (PCP-PEV alliance) with more than 10% of the votes in polls but now that's history as polling now shows them bellow 6% and in some times even behind PAN. The party suffered a lot with their support to the PS since 2015 as they supported budgets with policies completely against the platform of the Communists, plus it's becoming an old party as more leftwing younger voters are rejecting the party in favour PAN and BE.

Yes, I understand that, what I meant is that I doubt people take the Communist rhetoric seriously anymore, especially considering the slump in support for the party.
Also wow, self-own for Costa.

Oh yes, this kind of rhetoric isn't taken seriously for a long time now, even in the late 70's it wasn't taken seriously. The PCP speeches are commonly called, and mocked, as "cassettes" because it's always the same thing repeated over and over again, plus more recently, as video cassettes have become relics, a sign of how old the party has become.

[Mike88]

2021 Budget: Marcelo likely to send back the budget to Parliament due to Novo Banco

https://twitter.com/SolOnline/status/1332615482583769088

Marcelo should send budget back.

The Novo Banco loan rejection by Parliament continues to create controversy. The PS continues to accuse the PSD of being irresponsible, while the PSD fights back saying no penny of the tax payers money should be spent until the current audit is complete. However, this vote could violate the budget law which says that the budget plan needs to comply with rules and contracts signed by the State. Therefore, it's likely that Marcelo refuses to sign the budget and sent it back to Parliament. President Marcelo didn't comment about the vote, and only said he will analyse the budget and then make a decision. However, other newspapers are reporting that during the vote, Marcelo called all the leaders on the parties, especially the PSD leader, to stop the rejection of the loan and understand their motives. If Marcelo signs the budget however, the PS will sent it to the Constitutional Court.

[Mike88]

Aximage poll for JN/TSF radio:

Q1: President's approval:

74% Approve (+14)
  9% Disapprove (-13)
12% Average (+1)
  3% Undecided (-3)

Q2: Prime Minister's approval

56% Approve (+5)
28% Disapprove (-1)
11% Average (-5)
  5% Undecided (+1)

Q3: Opposition's approval:

47% Approve (+20)
34% Disapprove (-4)
13% Average (-13)
  6% Undecided (-4)

Q4: Who's the main figure of the opposition against the government?

35% Rui Rio
20% André Ventura
20% Catarina Martins
  4% Jerónimo de Sousa
21% Undecided

Q5: Would you support a national agreement between the PSD and CHEGA?

57% No
25% Yes
18% Undecided

Poll conducted between 23 and 26 November 2020. Polled 647 votes. MoE of 3.90%.

[Mike88]

EU Council controversy: Did Portugal side with Poland and Hungary regarding the defense of the rule of law in the EU?

https://twitter.com/ojeconomico/status/1333073495505338369

European 'Bazooka': Polish government says Portugal is aligned with Hungary and Poland against the rule of law.

This controversy is somewhat old. Earlier this year, reports surfaced saying the Costa didn't want to mix the defense of the rule of law in the EU with recovery programs for countries. And in fact, after a meeting with Hungary's PM, Viktor Orbán, in July 2020, Costa said that "discussing values against money is not defending values, it's monetizing them". This created some controversy in Portugal, but now, Público newspaper printed an interview with a Polish MEP, Witold Waszczykowski, that says that Portugal in fact sided, in 2018, with Poland and Hungary against the defense of the rule of law in the EU. Mr Waszczykowski says that "The Visegrad Group" (Slovenia, Latvia and Portugal) all supported the Polish side. The newspaper also reports minutes that show that Portugal was deeply critical of the rule of law saveguard mechanism. The Foreign ministry already responded to the report saying that Portugal never crossed "the red line" of defending the rule of law and the Portugal never changed its position. At the same time, the Foreign ministry adds that Portugal never stooped reaching a consensus with all community members of the issue.