Portugal goes to the Parliamentary polls on May 18th. The third election in as many years following the collapse of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s centre-right coalition Government on 11th March after barely 11 months in office. The voters are understandably increasingly frustrated with the political class over the worst Political instability being witnessed in Portugal while every general election is costing the Taxpayers around 30 million Euros.
The fall of the Montenegro government was due to an alleged conflict of interest in obtaining Government contracts. Similarly, in November 2023 Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s administration was embroiled in an alleged corruption scandal involving his chief of staff, while Costa resigned paving the way for the last elections held in March 2024.
The successive political crises have led to frequent electoral cycles and heightened public disenchantment with traditional political institutions. Portugal is also grappling with the alarming problem of refugees and illegal immigrants. The government is facing grave financial challenges in dealing with these issues. A very heavy burden indeed. Understandably, there is a feeling of disquiet amongst the locals as crime and lawlessness is raising its ugly head.
In the May18th General elections, the Portuguese nationals in Goa will be casting their votes at the Consulate at Althinho in Panjim. I could have exercised my franchise at the Embassy in London. However, I decided to be in Portugal for a few days to witness the political discourse and cast my vote in Lisbon on 18th May. For a student of Political Science, this keenly contested election is worth observing. Let’s hope that the outcome of this democratic election results in a stable and sustainable Government that acts with the utmost integrity in the best interests of its people.
