Good morning and welcome to PORTUGAL DECODED. Yes, it's true: Portugal has plunged into yet another political crisis, with general elections likely in May. How did we get here and what's next?
Not only an awesome graphic, but the "How worried should you be about this?" was a masterclass in sober reasoning based on history and empirical evidence. How I hope the fine citizens of Portugal make voting decisions with sober reasoning based on history and empirical evidence, unlike the citizens in some other countries, cough cough.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful work. Two questions:
1. What is the difference between a confidence vote and a no-confidence vote? Is it just that no-confidence is called by the opposition and the confidence is called by the leadership?
2. Forgive me. I am an immigrant from the US. I am having trouble wrapping my mind around why this is so controversial. Is it just that the PM's family has a company, and that company owns a company that receives payment from another company, albeit one that is "regulated" by the government? Am I missing something here or is it that I am so used to US nonsense that I've lost my sense of what's worth getting worked up over?
Hi Amy, here's a quick reply. 1. While there are procedural differences between a confidence vote and a no-confidence vote, the key distinction is essentially what you pointed out. 2. It remains unclear whether the PM broke any laws - this could involve conflicts of interest, exclusivity rules, professional regulations, taxation, or income declarations. However, one thing is certain: he has consistently avoided clarifying concerns about his family's business interests. In fact, it could be argued that he has actively misled the public by providing unrelated information and then insisting that this suffices to settle the matter. In short, what’s at stake isn't necessarily illegality - though many would find the PM’s actions ethically and politically objectionable - but rather a blatant lack of transparency, which puts him under a heavy cloud of suspicion. This concern has only grown after the Socialists launched a parliamentary inquiry commission with the power to uncover relevant information, prompting the PM to call a confidence vote, which will allow him to avoid further scrutiny over his family's company.
Óbidos International Chocolate Festival -- Didn't know that was a thing. Can't make it this year, but adding that to the wishlist of things to do next year.
awesome graphic explaining the current political situation in Portugal...nicely done!
Not only an awesome graphic, but the "How worried should you be about this?" was a masterclass in sober reasoning based on history and empirical evidence. How I hope the fine citizens of Portugal make voting decisions with sober reasoning based on history and empirical evidence, unlike the citizens in some other countries, cough cough.
Also this weekend- a series of free concerts at the Gulbenkian.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful work. Two questions:
1. What is the difference between a confidence vote and a no-confidence vote? Is it just that no-confidence is called by the opposition and the confidence is called by the leadership?
2. Forgive me. I am an immigrant from the US. I am having trouble wrapping my mind around why this is so controversial. Is it just that the PM's family has a company, and that company owns a company that receives payment from another company, albeit one that is "regulated" by the government? Am I missing something here or is it that I am so used to US nonsense that I've lost my sense of what's worth getting worked up over?
Thank you so much!
Hi Amy, here's a quick reply. 1. While there are procedural differences between a confidence vote and a no-confidence vote, the key distinction is essentially what you pointed out. 2. It remains unclear whether the PM broke any laws - this could involve conflicts of interest, exclusivity rules, professional regulations, taxation, or income declarations. However, one thing is certain: he has consistently avoided clarifying concerns about his family's business interests. In fact, it could be argued that he has actively misled the public by providing unrelated information and then insisting that this suffices to settle the matter. In short, what’s at stake isn't necessarily illegality - though many would find the PM’s actions ethically and politically objectionable - but rather a blatant lack of transparency, which puts him under a heavy cloud of suspicion. This concern has only grown after the Socialists launched a parliamentary inquiry commission with the power to uncover relevant information, prompting the PM to call a confidence vote, which will allow him to avoid further scrutiny over his family's company.
Excellent job, as ever!
Óbidos International Chocolate Festival -- Didn't know that was a thing. Can't make it this year, but adding that to the wishlist of things to do next year.
Hmm… and keep hearing that Portugal is a stable Democratic country. Can someone explain what I might be missing?