Despite Portugal’s political instability, the country is flourishing
There are many ways to win an election but boring the electorate is a novel method. This Sunday, Portugal heads to the polls for its third snap election in as many years – hardly the hallmark of a healthy democracy. The latest vote follows the collapse of prime minister Luís Montenegro’s government in March, when he lost a confidence vote over a conflict-of-interest scandal: a company linked to his family, it emerged, had business ties to a government-regulated casino operator.
After three years of tireless campaigning by the main parties, the rhetoric remains woefully familiar, the slogans are well worn and the political ads could have been lifted from any of the past three elections. Understandably, voters are tuning out. They have heard it all before, recently and repeatedly. The Portuguese are tired.
That exhaustion and weariness is manifest in the polls. The latest figures show that no party is likely to win a clear majority. Montenegro’s centre-right Democratic Alliance leads on 32 per cent, with the centre-left Socialists trailing at 27 per cent. The far-right Chega party is riding a wave of anti-corruption and anti-migration sentiment, and polling at a record 19 per cent – though potential coalition partners remain conspicuously absent. Political stability, once Portugal’s calling card in a tumultuous Europe, now feels like a distant memory.
Beyond all of the parliamentary noise, however, another more positive story has been quietly unfolding. Portugal’s economy is growing at a healthy rate, outpacing the Eurozone average, thanks to record tourist numbers, strong exports and thriving technology, design and manufacturing sectors that continue to draw international attention. Creative talent continues to gravitate towards cities such as Lisbon and Porto, while the hospitality industry is breathing new life into other corners of the country.
There’s a reason why Portugal and its cities often feature highly in liveability metrics – not least Monocle’s annual Quality of Life Survey. The country’s cultural cachet, charm, heritage and balance of lifestyle and opportunity keep people coming back (or staying for good). What Portugal needs now is a government that can match that momentum – and stick around.
Rebelo is Monocle’s senior foreign correspondent. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.
