Good morning and welcome to PORTUGAL DECODED. For years, the Portuguese have watched the far-right rise abroad. Now, it’s happening here. How is Chega’s rise being interpreted?
From what I hear locally in Tavira, I think the protest vote is significant. Both PSD and especially PS are seen as not deserving their time in power, saying nice words but doing more to help themselves and cronies than to help Portugal and Portuguese people thrive. Chega may be just as scandal-prone as the primary parties, but too many people like someone who sounds strong and makes promises that speak to their biggest concerns. I hear things like, "I like immigrants, but when I was a kid people could work and make a living, and that's not possible any more." They think Chega is the answer. Of course I understand the frustration and anger with the very real problems of low wages and fast-rising costs. Politicians and government agencies always struggle with making real change that people can feel quickly, especially in representative democracies where discussions and determinations and compromises must be made. But as an LGBTQ* American immigrant in Portugal I have to say, Be careful. You do not want someone bearing mesages of exclusion and hatred who talks a big game about tearing things down, denies the implications of their rhetoric, and doesn't know or care about the work of rebuilding afterwards. Our Portuguese friends here in the Academia Sénior, who were in their teens and twenties (some older!) 50 years ago, are in mourning over the election results. They had a very lively discussion about it in our Whatsapp channel!
I agree. With a higher cost of housing, the Portuguese are feeling pinched financially. When that happens many times there is a swing to the right. This has occurred in the US and to a more extreme example in Germany pre WWII. The Portuguese should be careful what they wish for. Usually with the Right also comes privatization, increasing the cost of services, and a harsher political and social environment.
“The Rest is Politics” podcast had a segment about “bot account operations during elections” around the world claiming that Portugal’s recent election had 58% fake votes. True? Worth investigating.
From what I hear locally in Tavira, I think the protest vote is significant. Both PSD and especially PS are seen as not deserving their time in power, saying nice words but doing more to help themselves and cronies than to help Portugal and Portuguese people thrive. Chega may be just as scandal-prone as the primary parties, but too many people like someone who sounds strong and makes promises that speak to their biggest concerns. I hear things like, "I like immigrants, but when I was a kid people could work and make a living, and that's not possible any more." They think Chega is the answer. Of course I understand the frustration and anger with the very real problems of low wages and fast-rising costs. Politicians and government agencies always struggle with making real change that people can feel quickly, especially in representative democracies where discussions and determinations and compromises must be made. But as an LGBTQ* American immigrant in Portugal I have to say, Be careful. You do not want someone bearing mesages of exclusion and hatred who talks a big game about tearing things down, denies the implications of their rhetoric, and doesn't know or care about the work of rebuilding afterwards. Our Portuguese friends here in the Academia Sénior, who were in their teens and twenties (some older!) 50 years ago, are in mourning over the election results. They had a very lively discussion about it in our Whatsapp channel!
I agree. With a higher cost of housing, the Portuguese are feeling pinched financially. When that happens many times there is a swing to the right. This has occurred in the US and to a more extreme example in Germany pre WWII. The Portuguese should be careful what they wish for. Usually with the Right also comes privatization, increasing the cost of services, and a harsher political and social environment.
By the way, thanks Decoded for your well researched and thorough writings.
“The Rest is Politics” podcast had a segment about “bot account operations during elections” around the world claiming that Portugal’s recent election had 58% fake votes. True? Worth investigating.
I’m sharing with you a linkedin post by one of the researchers on ISCTE’s Media Lab saying the claim is false: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ineswnarciso_investiga%C3%A7%C3%A3o-s%C3%A3o-falsas-58-das-contas-no-activity-7330660945293164544-yAbY?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAACstuTcB7RBVU-b7t7DCchoPJ755POQzbTc
I never trust podcasts. They cater to illiterates. This is a great example why.