Madeira plunges into a new political crisis (again)
Madeira’s 2025 Budget was rejected on Monday by the Regional Assembly, with votes against from the PS, Chega, JPP, IL, and PAN, leaving the PSD and CDS-PP isolated as the only parties voting in favor.
What?
Madeira’s political landscape has been thrown into turmoil after the regional budget was rejected by Parliament - the first time in nearly 50 years of regional autonomy.
The rejection sets the stage for a no-confidence motion, which is scheduled for December 17 and could lead to the collapse of Miguel Albuquerque’s Government.
It must be remembered that the Autonomous Region of Madeira has already voted twice in the last two years: first in September 2023 and then in May 2026.
Background
In the May 2024 elections for the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, the PSD (Social Democratic Party), led by Miguel Albuquerque, won the most seats but failed to secure an outright majority, continuing a trend seen in recent years. The party captured 19 seats, a reduction compared to previous elections.
The PS (Socialist Party) remained the largest opposition force with 11 seats, while other parties such as the JPP (Juntos pelo Povo) and Chega also gained representation.
This fragmented outcome has led to a challenging political environment, with Albuquerque struggling to secure support for its proposals.
Opposition parties, including the Socialist Party (PS) and Juntos pelo Povo (JPP), have signaled their readiness to back the no-confidence motion, further isolating the PSD.
Adding to the uncertainty, Miguel Albuquerque has expressed his determination to stay in power, even if new elections are called.
“If necessary, we will go to elections and win,” Albuquerque declared. Recently re-elected as PSD-Madeira leader, he has doubled down on his intent to remain at the helm, despite the political deadlock.
Meanwhile, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa urged caution, emphasizing the need to follow constitutional procedures before considering new elections.
“We must wait for the no-confidence vote and hear what the parties propose to the representative of the Republic in Madeira,” Marcelo said, signaling his reluctance to preemptively endorse another round of snap elections.
PS Proposes Broad Coalition
Amid this growing instability, Paulo Cafôfo, leader of the Socialist Party (PS) in Madeira, has put forward a proposal for a broad coalition to provide a pathway to stability and governance.
The coalition would bring together parties from across the political spectrum, including Juntos pelo Povo (JPP), Iniciativa Liberal (IL), Pessoas-Animais-Natureza (PAN), and Bloco de Esquerda (BE).
Cafôfo has scheduled meetings with these parties for Thursday to explore the potential for collaboration.
In a statement aired on RTP-Madeira and later shared across media outlets, Cafôfo emphasized the need for unity and dialogue.
“We cannot continue living in this climate of instability, which only contributes to the stagnation of our region,” he said. He underscored the importance of addressing both Madeira’s long-term structural issues and the everyday challenges faced by its residents.
Cafôfo’s proposal reflects a significant shift in Madeira’s political dynamics, offering a potential alternative to repeated elections and ongoing instability. Whether the coalition plan will gain traction or Madeira heads to the polls again remains uncertain.