New political force emerges with focus on peace, love and happiness
After months of political controversy and wrangling, which has led to a largely unwanted third election in as many years, a new force has suddenly emerged with a surprising but possibly timely message. The new, out-of-left-field power in politics is ‘Partido Positividade de Portugal’, basically the Portugal Positivity Party, who have thrown their hat into the electoral ring, in response to cynicism and negativity among Portuguese voters being at rock-bottom.
Launching the party ahead of May’s elections, and revealing its bold but simple plans today, co-founder Filipe Feliz said: “This is a remarkable moment and opportunity for the Portuguese people to rise up, stop struggling and live wonderful lives in our beautiful country, a country that so many others want to move to, and enjoy a glorious lifestyle that we are in danger of taking for granted.
“Like many Portuguese people, we are sick of the constant whiff of corruption, predictable self-interest and lack of true progress that run-of-the-mill politics offers the population,” he continued, without wanting to dwell too much on the negatives, turning the attention of the incredulous and confused journalists present towards ‘accentuating the positive’.
Quizzed on why “positivity” and “why now”, party co-founder Beatriz Vida responded: “The business of politics, and business it clearly is, is fixated on problems and negativity. Spiritual teachers throughout the ages have taught us that ‘what we think about, we bring about’, which leaves little hope for any of the parties we have now,” and accounts for the party’s visionary motto: “pensamos, realizamos”.
“Modern-day politicians seem only to think about problems, themselves and their future prospects. What this has inevitably, and not surprisingly, led to is more problems, more corruption, and ultimately well-paid jobs in the EU,” she added, with a knowing look in her eye, at their party launch press conference, which was adorned with banners bearing advice such as “think and grow rich!” and “life is what you make it”.
PPP’s key manifesto idea is that if the country and its people focus on peace, love and happiness, there’s a very good chance that this will become their own as well as the collective reality, a message they know will not be easy to implement in the current and deeply cynical political climate.
Only hours after launching, the ‘positivity party’ is already having to reject accusations that their “peace and love”, “hippy” positioning does not have the ‘clout’ to address the challenges of the real world, both domestically and globally.
Issues such as the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the world, and the breaking news that the American President plans to buy and re-name Comporta, along with his DOGE sidekick threatening to buy up fortified wine brands in nearby Setúbal.
“We are not saying that some increased and improved efficiency wouldn’t go amiss in our own civil administration,” retorted Senhora Vida, “but the idea of having ‘Trumporta’ on our doorstep, and having Moscatel renamed ‘Muskatel’, leaves us sick to our core. We actually intend to use AI against challenges to sovereignty, preferring emotional and spiritual intelligence as the main pillars of national and global security.”
The party’s main message is that it’s time for Portugal to realise its value, its power and, with or without the help of the EU, USA or any other foreign country, who PPP suggest are being destroyed by the same old political ideas that are ruining Portugal and its prospects, along with its rich and enviable culture.
In relation to the EU specifically, and the launch of its recent disaster preparedness strategy and plans, PPP responded smartly to the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, who urged us to be “ready for anything”, whilst rejecting “scenarios of alarmism and panic”. A ‘well-prepared citizen’ should have enough emergency supplies at home, the EU advises, including water and tinned food, to last at least three days, a torch, a shortwave radio with batteries, and a first-aid kit.
“What sort of survival is that?!” scoffed Senhor Feliz, who countered the dismal EU suggestion by saying: “We propose that Portugal implements its own tried and tested three-day plan. But here, we suggest citizens keep their phones charged up, pre-loaded with cheerful ‘pimba’ playlists downloaded from Spotify. And have enough Portuguese wine, cheese and cured meat on hand to last the worst of any natural or man-made disasters. Short wave radios (whatever they are?) will not be needed as local avós, or ‘Vovófone’, will be the only communication system we’ll need, a true off-grid, apocalypse-proof system honed over centuries.”
Critics emerging to pour scorn and cold water on PPP’s upbeat and hopeful message include far-right, far-left and centrist socialists who are united, for once, in their criticism.
“If politics was really this simple,” said one wealthy, life-long politician who preferred to remain unnamed, “do you not think we would have given up our perks, benefits and privileges a long time ago, and let the ordinary people live happy lives, unaffected by our constant bickering, endless taxes and sense of self-importance?”
Voters looking for the website and manifesto of Partida Positividade de Portugal may be disappointed given that party insiders and personnel say they have been too busy enjoying the long-awaited sun and “long delicious Portuguese lunches” to upload anything to the web.
“Our approach is basically common sense,” declared the party’s reluctant but cheerful leader Feliz. “We know, and everyone knows, that ‘being happy’ makes sense and is the basis of a great life, personally and nationally. We also know it’s not necessarily that common. We, therefore, ask all Portuguese citizens to just have fun and enjoy their lives fully, whether we get elected and lead the country’s political future, or not.”
