(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Portugal remain loyal to the governing Socialist Party (PS), according to a poll by Marktest released by Diario de Noticias and TSF. 36.2 per cent of respondents would vote for the PS in this year’s general election, practically unchanged since March.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Portugal remain loyal to the governing Socialist Party (PS), according to a poll by Marktest released by Diario de Noticias and TSF. 36.2 per cent of respondents would vote for the PS in this year’s general election, practically unchanged since March.
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) is second with 26.4 per cent, followed by the Leftist Bloc (BE) with 13.6 per cent, the Unitarian Democratic Coalition (CDU)—which includes the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and the Environmental Party "The Greens" (OV)—with 11.2 per cent, and the Social Democratic Centre / Popular Party (CDS/PP) with 8.3 per cent.
The Socialists won the February 2005 parliamentary ballot, garnering 45.3 per cent of the vote and electing 121 lawmakers to the 230-seat Assembly of the Republic. Socialist leader Jose Socrates took over as prime minister in March. In May 2008, Manuela Ferreira Leite was elected as the new leader of the right-leaning PSD.
In February, Socrates was ratified as PS leader, garnering 96 per cent of all cast ballots in an internal election.
Earlier this year, Socrates publicly discussed an ongoing investigation into whether he abused his position as environment minister in 2002 to facilitate the construction of a shopping mall. The prime minister accused the media of releasing misleading information, adding, "The reports and the way they are presented are meant to target me personally and weaken me politically."
The investigation—which began in 2005—has not led to a single charge.
Portugal’s next general election is tentatively scheduled for September 2009.
Polling Data
What party would you vote for in a general election?
|
|
Apr. 2009 |
Mar. 2009 |
Feb. 2009 |
|
Socialist Party (PS) |
36.2% |
36.7% |
38.2% |
|
Social Democratic Party (PSD) |
26.4% |
28.4% |
28.8% |
|
Leftist Bloc (BE) |
13.6% |
12.6% |
14.0% |
|
Unitarian Democratic Coalition (CDU) |
11.2% |
8.9% |
10.6% |
|
Social Democratic Centre / Popular Party (CDS/PP) |
8.3% |
9.4% |
4.1% |
Source: Marktest / Diario de Noticias / TSF
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 803 Portuguese adults, conducted from Apr. 14 to Apr. 19, 2009. Margin of error is 3.45 per cent.
