ElectionsForeign PolicyInternational RelationsPolitical PartiesInternational PeaceThe Global Economy

Portuguese Election Brings Stability

Posted on in Elections · Foreign Policy · International Relations · Political Parties · International Peace · The Global Economy

Voters in Portugal recently went to the polls and participated in a snap general election. The election was called by Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa after the ruling coalition failed to pass a budget. Prior to the election, the Socialist Party held 108 seats in the 230-seat parliament, and while not an outright majority they had the greatest representation within the lawmaking body.

Most polls suggested leading up to the election that the Socialist Party would lose seats at the expense of the center right Social Democrats.

What happened in Portugal?

INSTRUCTORS: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Videos:

News Articles:

Portugal election: Socialists win unexpected majority

BBC NEWS

January 30, 2022

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60194375

Portugal’s ruling Socialist party on course to win snap general election

THE GUARDIAN

January 30, 2022

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/30/portugal-far-right-poised-to-play-key-role-after-snap-election


Portugal: Socialists ready for major tasks after landslide

ABCNEWS

January 31, 2022

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/portugals-center-left-socialists-landslide-election-win-82574516

News Articles (Analyses):

Portugal’s ruling Socialists win surprise victory in snap poll

ALJAZEERA

January 31, 2022

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/31/portugals-ruling-socialists-win-surprise-victory-in-snap-poll

Portugal PM to implement budget plans after resounding election win

FINANCIAL TIMES

January 31, 2022

https://www.ft.com/content/e49275e3-4c5e-4554-a9de-8956a6361810

Portugal’s PM Costa stuns with majority win in snap election

REUTERS

January 30, 2022

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/portuguese-go-polls-snap-election-marked-by-covid-uncertainty-2022-01-30/

Assessment:

 Writing: What were the results of the Portuguese snap election ?

 Debate: How should Portugal reduce its public debt?

 Poll: Is a multi-party system preferable to a two-party system?

Short Answer: What is the significance of the Portuguese snap election?

QUIZ:

The Socialist Party lost seats in parliament. (T/F)

Voter turnout surpassed pre pandemic participation. (T/F)

The Socialist Party received a 52 percent of the vote in the recent election. (T/F)

Which political party holds a majority of seats in Portugal’s parliament?

  1. The Socialists
  2. The Communists
  3. The Democrats
  4. The Left Bloc

What served as the catalyst for the snap election?

a. The inability to pass a budget.

b. A scandal involving corruption.

c. The ongoing pandemic.

d. The fear of war with Spain.

All the following are true concerning Portugal EXCEPT.

a. It is the poorest country in Western Europe.

b. It has the highest public debt of any country in the European Union.

c. It is estimated that the economy will shrink this year.

d. It has a population of 10 million people.

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *