… First reflection: “Return to power of Donald Trump” and what it means for world
President Marcelo addressed the nation this lunchtime, to bring voters ‘back to reality’ after so many weeks and months of political navel-gazing.
With the caravans of various political parties finally nowhere to be seen, Portugal’s head of state said the world has changed radically since the last elections, bringing in a minority government, only a year ago.
Following Donald Trump’s return to the White House for a second four-year stint as the leader of the so-called free world, “huge changes” (have been felt) in relations with Europe, Russia and China. “It has meant unpredictability in the international economy, greater responsibilities for us Europeans, for us Portuguese”, said Marcelo.
Second reflection: It would be “burying one’s head in the sand, remaining indifferent to the gravity of the moment experienced” if citizens did not exercise their democratic right to vote – and in doing so, it is an opportunity, he suggested, for a vote “contributing to stability”; avoiding the agony of yet another minority government that can be toppled far too easily.
And finally, the third reflection: 50 years ago, Portugal celebrated the most-participated election ever, “to give life to freedom, equality, solidarity, security, democracy and peace”. These values will be every bit as much on the line tomorrow as they were then, he inferred, encouraging citizens to “vote tomorrow for the future of Portugal”.
The president also warned that people must remember there can be no further legislative elections – no matter what tomorrow’s results are – for another full calendar year.
There are 21 political forces competing in these elections prompted by the fall of th AD (PSD/CDS-PP) government after little more than a year in office – but only eight of them have so far had representation in parliament: AD, PS, CHEGA, Iniciativa Liberal, Bloco de Esquerda, CDU (PCP/ PEV), LIVRE and PAN.
Voting stations open tomorrow morning at 8am, and close at 7pm.
These elections are open to Portuguese citizens only.
Foreign residents can vote in municipal elections, coming late summer, as long as they have previously registered on the electoral roll at the parish council corresponding to their Portuguese address. ND
