Portugal Politics

Since the revolution, the political landscape in Portugal has been dominated by the Socialist Party and the Partido Social Democrata, although the Popular Party had been present in some post-revolution governments too. A coalition of the Portuguese Communist Party and The Greens holds the presidency of several municipalities.

The parties that are represented in the Assembly of the Republic (Parliament) are the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Communist Party, the Popular Party , the Left Bloc and the Green Party.

In 2000, the general popularity of Portugal’s Socialist government was decreasing, and after Prime Minister Antonio Guterres resigned in December 2001, a coalition government was formed by the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), headed by new Prime Minister Durao Barroso, and the Popular Party.

After 2005’s general elections Prime Minister Jose Socrates and his new Cabinet were sworn in; Socrates said his priorities were the economic growth of the country and the fight against growing unemployment. The winner of the January 2006 presidential poll, Anibal Cavaco Silva (a former Prime Minister), is the first centre-right politician to be President since the military coup of 1974.

Back to All European Country Guides