🇵🇹 Portugal's politics and elections 3.0

[Mike88]

Montenegro, so far, leads in all districts. The closest is Beja, where Montenegro leads 54-46%, but with just 90 votes counted.

Moreira da Silva only leads in 28 municipalities, out of 308.

[crals]

Montenegro finally made it. It was the wrong choice imo and I don't think I will keep voting for PSD under him. But I wish him the best of luck rebuilding the Portuguese center-right, he will need it.

[Mike88]

Almost final results, 99.9% reported:

72.5% Luís Montenegro (19,225 votes)
27.5% Jorge Moreira da Silva (7,304)

  1.6% Blank/Invalid (435)

60.4% Turnout (26,964)

[Mike88]

Montenegro finally made it. It was the wrong choice imo and I don't think I will keep voting for PSD under him. But I wish him the best of luck rebuilding the Portuguese center-right, he will need it.

He was the least bad choice between two very weak choices, IMO. I continue with my prediction, he will be a "transition leader" until Moedas feels confident in running for the leadership. His only chance to reach the PM office is if Costa resigns in 2024, other than that, no chance at all, in my opinion.

[Mike88]

Candidates reactions:

Luís Montenegro celebrated his victory saying that tonight "Portugal won":

https://twitter.com/cmjornal/status/1530666142620176396

Cm ao Minuto - "Today, Portugal won", says Montenegro in his victory speech

Newly elected PSD leader, Luís Montenegro, thanked his supporters and said that tonight it wasn't his campaign that won, rather Portugal as it will now have an "alternative to the Socialism that has led us astray". He thanked the PSD base for the overwhelming victory and that he now has a big responsibility. He went on to say that this day starts the beginning of the end of the PS hegemony in power and that he wants to be the voice of those who are left behind by the government. He thanked Jorge Moreira da Silva for his kind words and also thanked Rui Rio. During the Q&A with the press, Montenegro said that he wants to be the PSD candidate in the schedule 2026 general elections.

Moreira da Silva congratulated Montenegro for his "expressive victory":

https://twitter.com/RTPNoticias/status/1530671076040122369

Jorge Moreira da Silva, who lost the PSD presidency to Luís Montenegro, did not reject a new candidacy for leadership in the future, but assured that he will contribute to the unity of the party.

In his concession speech, Moreira da Silva thanked PSD members for their support and congratulated Luís Montenegro for his strong victory, adding that his victory will be the victory of all the PSD. He thanked his volunteers for their tireless work adding that his campaign didn't have a lot resources. Moreira da Silva went on to say that he's ready to help Montenegro, but will not accept a post in his leadership. However, he didn't close the door to future possible bids for the leadership.

PM António Costa also called Luís Montenegro to congratulate him:

https://twitter.com/antoniocostapm/status/1530673673195048968

@ppdpsd chose its new president today. I already congratulated Luis Montenegro on his victory.

[Mike88]

And now, maps:


Image link

[Mike88]

2 local by-elections this Sunday:

- Perre parish by-election, Viana do Castelo: Around 2,600 registered voters will elect a new local assembly after the previous one, elected last September, was unable to form an administration. There are 2 Independent movements on the ballots, plus CDS and CDU. The previous administration was an Independent one;

- Santa Maria parish by-election, Manteigas, Guarda: Around 1,300 voters are also electing a new local assembly after, just like Perre, the previous elected parish was unable to form an administration. There are 3 lists on the ballot: PS, PSD and an Independent movement. In the 2021 election, the Independent movement, Manteigas2030, defeated the PS;

Polls close at 7pm and results are expected shortly after.

[Mike88]

2 local by-elections this Sunday:

Perre parish by-election: Independent "Gostar de Perre" hold.

41.4% Gostar de Perre, 4 seats (nc)
31.1% CDS, 3 (-1)
21.9% Amar Perre, 2 (+2)
  4.7% CDU, 0 (-1)
  1.0% Blank/Invalid

52.6% Turnout (-11.3)

Santa Maria (Manteigas) parish by-election: Independent "Manteigas2030" hold.

44.0% Manteigas2030, 4 seats (nc)
27.4% PS, 3 (+1)
26.5% PSD, 2 (-1)
  2.1% Blank/Invalid

56.6% Turnout (-15.3)

[Mike88]

"Turmoil" in local government: Porto mayor, Rui Moreira, wants to leave the mayors association because of the decentralization process.

Porto is set to leave the mayors association after a final vote this evening.

For the first time ever, a city is set to leave the ANMP, National Association of Portuguese Municipalities. After threatening to leave a few weeks ago, Porto mayor Rui Moreira is going to propose a final vote, this evening, regarding Porto's departure from the association. In video on Facebook, Moreira accused the ANMP of being a "a PS drive belt" and that it doesn't serve the city's worries. In this vote, Moreira has the support of the PSD, which according to the media, is going to vote in favour.

Other PSD mayors from Trofa, Póvoa de Varzim and Coimbra are also considering leaving the ANMP. The main point of criticism is the ongoing decentralization plan in which local governments will be responsible for dossiers like education and health. But, mayors accuse the government of not giving funds to manage these dossiers, so, many are saying that with no money they will not accept the decentralization plan.

[Mike88]

A bit off topic, but Sábado magazine, has a hilarious report about "Luís Montenegro".

It seems that one of André Ventura's erotic novels (yes, the leader of CHEGA wrote, around 12 years ago, two erotic novels that has everything from gay relationships, drugs, submissive women, AIDS, etc) is called "Montenegro" and the main character is literally called... Luís Montenegro. In this novel, Montenegro is a drug addict, HIV positive, nymphomaniac that also wins La Vuelta.

How the hell can you mix winning La Vuelta with being a drug addicted nymphomaniac in a book? xD

[Leading Political Consultant Ma Anand Sheela]

Truly the most normal man in the world.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

Truly the most normal man in the world.

If André Ventura didn't exist it would be necessary to invent him (for our amusement only).

[Mike88]

Truly the most normal man in the world.

If André Ventura didn't exist it would be necessary to invent him (for our amusement only).

He has to be one of the most "peculiar" far-right leader currently in Europe. Like we say here "Who doesn't know you, buy you!

Anyway, Porto city is now officially out of the Mayors association and there's an ongoing PS vs PSD war of words:

https://twitter.com/observadorpt/status/1531408174393212929

It's official: Porto leaves the ANMP. “This proposal is no longer mine and becomes the city’s”, says Rui Moreira

As expected, Porto city assembly voted to withdraw the city from the ANMP, the National Municipality Association, with the votes of Rui Moreira's movement, PSD and CHEGA. The rest of parties voted against and criticized Moreira. Several PS mayors in the North region are accusing Moreira of "giving up in being an active voice for the region", while Gaia's mayor, also from the PS, says that no one wins with this decision, adding, however, that Moreira has some points in his complaints. But, several PSD mayors across the country are supporting Moreira and of the cities considering also leaving the ANMP, basically all are from the PSD. Trofa, Pinhel, Coimbra, Póvoa de Varzim, and other are considering leaving the association, while Portalegre's mayor, also PSD, said that Moreira's decision is coherent as local governments are deeply upset and angry with the decentralization plan.

Also, another controversy that has been dominating headlines, is the election of a new Constitutional Court judge that has some, well, controversial views:

https://twitter.com/SICNoticias/status/1531621316150927361

From limits on press freedom to anti-abortion positions. In 1984, he cited a medical investigation by the Nazis that raped women do not get pregnant. Controversies with the candidate for the Constitutional Court

The Portuguese Constitutional Court has 13 judges, 10 are elected by Parliament and the other 3 elected by the other 10 judges. This system of election is proving controversial as the current candidate to fill a vacant seat, Judge Almeida Costa, is being news for his controversial views on abortion and freedom of press. Judge Almeida Costa wrote an essay in the 80's in which he condemned abortion in case of rape or risk for the woman or the fetus, but it was he's deposition in Parliament, in the last few weeks, that created even more controversy. Judge Costa was asked about the violations of the secrecy of justice during investigations, and his answer raised eyebrows as he proposed punishments for press reporters and judicial workers that violated the rules, adding that there should be limits in the freedom of the press.

But, the controversy is deeper. There is criticisms coming from both major parties, but the new judge was proposed by the PSD/CDS appointed judges in the Court and his name was approved by the PS in a previous list for another post, so the two main parties are a bit "embarrassed" and with their hands tied. The election will be this afternoon.

[Mike88]

The Portuguese Constitutional Court has 13 judges, 10 are elected by Parliament and the other 3 elected by the other 10 judges. This system of election is proving controversial as the current candidate to fill a vacant seat, Judge Almeida Costa, is being news for his controversial views on abortion and freedom of press. Judge Almeida Costa wrote an essay in the 80's in which he condemned abortion in case of rape or risk for the woman or the fetus, but it was he's deposition in Parliament, in the last few weeks, that created even more controversy. Judge Costa was asked about the violations of the secrecy of justice during investigations, and his answer raised eyebrows as he proposed punishments for press reporters and judicial workers that violated the rules, adding that there should be limits in the freedom of the press.

But, the controversy is deeper. There is criticisms coming from both major parties, but the new judge was proposed by the PSD/CDS appointed judges in the Court and his name was approved by the PS in a previous list for another post, so the two main parties are a bit "embarrassed" and with their hands tied. The election will be this afternoon.

The Court has rejected Judge Almeida Costa election. In a statement, the Court says that "the process regarding the proposed name was concluded without cooptation", meaning that the election failed and Almeida Costa didn't get the 7 votes needed to be elected to the Court.

The seat remains vacant, and it's now uncertain if a new proposed candidate will be announced.

[Mike88]

Final and Certified results of the 28 May 2022 PSD leadership ballot:

72.48% Luís Montenegro (19,241 votes)
27.52% Jorge Moreira da Silva (7,306)

  1.62% Blank/Invalid (437)

60.46% Turnout (26,984)

As usual in PSD leadership ballots, there are already doubts about the results in some areas. In Castelo de Paiva, Aveiro, Montenegro got 100% of the votes, but Observador newspaper found out that at least 4 votes were "ghost votes", as someone cast them all at once. In the party's England section, there was also an issue about the counting of ballots.

[Mike88]

Former PM and President Cavaco Silva mocks Costa in an op-ed and trashes Rui Rio in a TV interview:

https://twitter.com/cnnportugal/status/1532718044572700672

Exclusive: Cavaco Silva says that Rio's PSD “was a support for the PS” and “seemed like a regional party”

Former President and Prime Minister Cavaco Silva is making headlines in the last few days for an op-ed where he "mocks" Costa and a TV interview where he trashes Rui Rio's leadership in the PSD. This is not the first time the former President uses an op-ed to trash Costa and Rio, the last one was back in October 2021, but this one is raising eyebrows for using humor and irony to attack Costa. In the opinion piece, that is a direct response to Costa after the PM, in his swearing in speech, said that people should not be afraid of his majority because he fought a "previous majority" in the past, Cavaco "congratulated" Costa for his majority and now it's time for Costa to do "more and better" than Cavaco. He then listed all the reforms he did as PM, from privatizations to Constitutional reforms, adding that the PS was even against some of them, and ended his piece by saying that he "knows how much the PM likes reforming and promoting dialogue" and is certain that, with his majority government, "all will end well".

The opinion piece wasn't well received by the PS, and several PS MPs and members attacked and criticized Cavaco Silva. PM Costa responded by saying that Cavaco is much more worried with his place in his history, while Costa is worried with the Portuguese. The still PSD leader Rui Rio wasn't spared also. Cavaco accused the leader of his own party, in a TV interview, of being a "supporter" of the PS and that he let the PSD be constantly humiliated by the PS. At the same time, Cavaco said that he believes Luís Montenegro will be a strong opposition leader against the PS.

This has also created an "issue" in the PSD. A tweet by a PSD aligned pundit, that criticized Cavaco for being "sour and bitter" received a like from Rui Rio in the same social media. Several PSD members went to social media trashing Rio, and the like was ultimately deleted. Pressed by the media, Rio's team doesn't know how the tweet was liked by him, adding that the matter is "closed". Cavaco and Rio's relationship within the PSD is bad for some time now.

[Mike88]

PCP headquarters continue to be vandalized across the country. The Police say their are in alert.

https://twitter.com/SICNoticias/status/1532059684357582848

PCP headquarters vandalized: authorities say they are attentive and party considers “attack on freedom”. The far right praises the authors.

The fallout of the Communist's position regarding the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, is continuing to have a toll in the party. PCP headquarters across the country continue to be vandalized, mainly with graffiti insulting the party. Words like "You have blood in your scythe", "Russians=Communists" or "Shame" are the most seen in Communist headquarters facades. The police confirms they are in alert, but they have no idea who's behind these acts of vandalization and there are no open investigations so far. The PCP itself says these attacks are an "anti-democratic offensive with anti-communist bent", adding that this is also an attack against the democratic state and liberties. On social media, several rightwing and far-right groups are "celebrating" these attacks and praising their authors.

PS: Removed the PSD leadership from the title as it's over and done.

[Mike88]

Financial situation of parties: PSD remains the party with the highest assets and PS with the lowest in 2021.

Assets (equity) by party:

21,739,943€ PSD
18,735,374€ PCP
  2,357,470€ BE
     433,233€ PAN
     239,040€ CHEGA
       32,346€ IL
   -163,628€ CDS
-2,864,103€ PS

In terms of profits, that adds public grants, membership fees, donations and spending, PCP had the highest profits, followed by the PSD. IL is in last place:

+1,667,446€ PCP
   +976,112€ PSD
   +353,435€ PS
   +149,011€ CHEGA
     +66,961€ PAN
      -72,954€ BE
    -110,373€ CDS
    -114,607€ IL

[Mike88]

Some political headlines:

- Euthanasia legalization is back in discussion. Parliament will discuss and vote 4 project bills from PS, IL, BE and PAN, all very similar between them, and all four are expected to have an easy approval. The issue comes next. The two previous Euthanasia bills have been rejected by the Court and the other by a veto by President Marcelo, and for this 3rd one, the outcome is uncertain. Law experts say that the 4 proposed bills are clearly unconstitutional and President Marcelo has said that he will wait and see the final draft before making a decision. Adding to this, in the PSD things could also change on the matter as the new leader, Luís Montenegro, is against legalization and in favour of a referendum, which is the complete opposite of the still party leader Rui Rio. We'll see;

- The government is under fire, today, because of a report that says that Social Security is planning to cut food aid programs to 30,000 poor people. According to JN newspaper, Social Security sent an email to their district departments saying that they need to cut down the number of people with food aid, from a total of 120,000 to 90,000. People and volunteers on the ground are shocked with this decision, saying they even have families in waiting lists to be included in the food aid program, adding that in a time of rising inflation, this decision makes no sense. In reaction, the Social Security minister, Ana Mendes Godinho, said that this decision isn't a cut, but rather a revaluation, adding that anyone eligible will get aid;

- The Lisbon bike lane drama continues. After weeks of bitter arguments between Mayor Carlos Moedas (PSD) and the leftwing opposition regarding the removal/readjustment of a bike lane is a Lisbon main avenue, Moedas removed his project and is now open to a technical study for his project. His idea is to remove one lane of this avenue's bike lane, and open it up for traffic. Moedas says he's tired of the politicization of all of this and that the mobility of the city cannot be put on hold, while the left opposition accuse him of playing the victim card;

- Former PM José Sócrates trips to Brazil are also in the news, again, as the Courts aren't buying his arguments and has now asked SEF (Border Control Agency) and INTERPOL for information about Sócrates' trips to Brazil. Because Sócrates case is in appeal, he cannot leave the country without informing the authorities, but he skipped and told the judge he doesn't have the need to inform the Courts;

[Mike88]

As expected, the four Euthanasia bills passed in Parliament. Now, a common bill will be drafted and sent to the President:

The results:

Euthanasia legalization bills:

PS bill: 128 Yes (107 PS; 8 IL; 6 PSD; 5 BE; 1 PAN; 1 Livre) 88 No (63 PSD; 12 CHEGA; 7 PS; 6 PCP) 5 Abstained (PS 4; PSD 1)
IL bill: 126 Yes (106 PS; 8 IL; 5 PSD; 5 BE; 1 PAN; 1 Livre) 88 No (63 PSD; 12 CHEGA; 7 PS; 6 PCP) 6 Abstained (PS 4; PSD 2)
BE bill: 127 Yes (107 PS; 8 IL; 5 PSD; 5 BE; 1 PAN; 1 Livre) 88 No (63 PSD; 12 CHEGA; 7 PS; 6 PCP) 6 Abstained (PS 4; PSD 2)
PAN bill: 127 Yes (107 PS; 8 IL; 5 PSD; 5 BE; 1 PAN; 1 Livre) 88 No (63 PSD; 12 CHEGA; 7 PS; 6 PCP) 6 Abstained (PS 4; PSD 2)

Euthanasia Referendum bill:

CHEGA bill: 147 No (117 PS; 9 PSD; 8 IL; 6 PCP; 5 BE; 1 PAN; 1 Livre) 71 Yes (59 PSD; 12 CHEGA) 2 Abstained (PSD 2)

Now the bills will be merged in a single bill drafted by MPs and then sent to President Marcelo. The problem regarding the new bill lies in here. Marcelo hasn't said he will sign the bill, only said he will look at it and then decide, thus, he could sign it, veto it or send it to the Court. According to law experts, if the new bill goes back to the Constitutional Court, the most likely scenario is the rejection of the bill, which would bring the process back to square one, again. Adding to this, the new PSD leader, Luís Montenegro, is in favour of a referendum, which could shake things even more. We'll see.

[Mike88]

As expected, the four Euthanasia bills passed in Parliament. Now, a common bill will be drafted and sent to the President:

After the end of voting in the Chamber, there was high tension in the corridors of Parliament as a PSD MP and a CHEGA MP almost ended in violence. According to CNN Portugal, André Coelho Lima, PSD MP from Braga, and Pedro Frazão, CHEGA MP from Santarém, entered in a big brawl after the CHEGA MP called the PSD MP "miserable", during the euthanasia debate. Mr Coelho didn't heard the insult and was informed of it later and went to the CHEGA MP office to confirm it. But, everything escalated and shouting was heard all across the offices and, at one point, both had their foreheads almost touching. In the end, André Ventura was crucial in resolving the conflict and lowering the tension as he was able break up the fight.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

As expected, the four Euthanasia bills passed in Parliament. Now, a common bill will be drafted and sent to the President:

After the end of voting in the Chamber, there was high tension in the corridors of Parliament as a PSD MP and a CHEGA MP almost ended in violence. According to CNN Portugal, André Coelho Lima, PSD MP from Braga, and Pedro Frazão, CHEGA MP from Santarém, entered in a big brawl after the CHEGA MP called the PSD MP "miserable", during the euthanasia debate. Mr Coelho didn't heard the insult and was informed of it later and went to the CHEGA MP office to confirm it. But, everything escalated and shouting was heard all across the offices and, at one point, both had their foreheads almost touching. In the end, André Ventura was crucial in resolving the conflict and lowering the tension as he was able break up the fight.

I'm sure this procedure of passing four bills and then working out a "common one" is not unique to Portugal, but it sounds like a pretty strange thing. Did they do this to minimize the chance of the bill being rejected again?

[Mike88]

As expected, the four Euthanasia bills passed in Parliament. Now, a common bill will be drafted and sent to the President:

After the end of voting in the Chamber, there was high tension in the corridors of Parliament as a PSD MP and a CHEGA MP almost ended in violence. According to CNN Portugal, André Coelho Lima, PSD MP from Braga, and Pedro Frazão, CHEGA MP from Santarém, entered in a big brawl after the CHEGA MP called the PSD MP "miserable", during the euthanasia debate. Mr Coelho didn't heard the insult and was informed of it later and went to the CHEGA MP office to confirm it. But, everything escalated and shouting was heard all across the offices and, at one point, both had their foreheads almost touching. In the end, André Ventura was crucial in resolving the conflict and lowering the tension as he was able break up the fight.

I'm sure this procedure of passing four bills and then working out a "common one" is not unique to Portugal, but it sounds like a pretty strange thing. Did they do this to minimize the chance of the bill being rejected again?

It's more a chance to have a "photo opportunity" for parties. Normally, when there are bills proposed by different parties, they are almost always very similar between them, and these 4 Euthanasia bills are basically copypaste of each other. In some occasions, bills on a specific topic that are presented by different parties, have mix voting results with for example, PS+PSD voting in favour of their respective bills and then rejecting similar bills proposed by minor parties like BE, PCP, CHEGA, others. Just, usual party politics.

[Mike88]

Government under fire because of the chaos in NHS emergency rooms: Minister held several urgent meetings with doctors and unions.

https://twitter.com/cnnportugal/status/1536441061597499392

Numerous hospitals across the country are no longer able to guarantee emergency services, namely obstetrics and gynecology. The Minister of Health spent the day in meetings about the problem, but so far there has been no explanation from the government.

For the last four days, chaos and closure of several emergency rooms, mainly of obstetrics and gynecology, have been topping the news. Hospitals across the country do not have enough doctors to attend pregnant women, and are sending patients to bigger hospitals, creating overcrowding in these hospitals. Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, the biggest in country, is having problems dealing with the overflow of pregnant women, and according to RTP, some babies had to be delivered in the nursery rooms. This controversy started after the death of a new born due to lack of doctors in a hospital in Leiria district.

Doctors and workers unions are blaming the government for not doing anything to attract doctors to the NHS, and during today, Health minister Marta Temido, held a series of meetings with these associations in order to find common ground and reach a possible solution. Coming out from the meetings, unions and associations felt disappointed and that no real solutions were given. The minister, on the other hand, told reporters that she knows that there are problems, especially in a time of holidays, and she will prepare a plan to mitigate these situations.

[Mike88]

Chaos in Hospitals: Health minister announces committee to coordinate services and will discuss raising extra payments for doctors.

https://twitter.com/expresso/status/1537151945927970822

Minister of Health explained contingency plan for the summer and medium-term measures. Overtime payment will have changes and Government wants to reduce dependence on stockmans

With the chaos in emergency rooms still dominating headlines, and after a chaotic press conference last Monday, Health minister Marta Temido announced several measures to reduce the pressure in Emergency rooms across the country. The minister announced that extra hours payments for doctors in hospitals will have changes and updates, and that there will be created a committee to coordinate/monitor gynecology, obstetrics and delivery block services and to resolve any issue across the country. Adding to this, the minister also announced she will open vacancies for 1,600 newly specialist doctors. However, the minister added that the Government is also considering signing deals with private hospitals to lower pressure in public hospitals. She also rejected any idea of resigning from the Government.

During the afternoon, PM Costa acknowledge that there are "structural problems" in the NHS, but the situation is unlikely to be resolved in the next few days as several hospitals, across the country, are announcing that several emergency services, specially gynecology and obstetrics, will be closed during the bank holiday this week.