Thread by @ajplus

After elections on Sunday, a coalition of socialists, communists and anticapitalists is set to form a government in Portugal once more.

But as far-right populism grows across Europe, there are sure to be challenges ahead. @JoanaRamiroUK explains in a #thread: (1/11)

@JoanaRamiroUK Amid a rise in far-right populism across Europe, Portugal stands out as an example of a stable, efficient and popular left-wing government. Unemployment is low and the economy is growing. (2/11)
opendemocracy.net/en/democraciaa…

@JoanaRamiroUK Since 2015, Portugal has been ruled by what's called Geringonça, “the contraption”: a Socialist Party (@psocialista) minority government with the support of the far-left Communist Party (@cdupcppev) and Left Bloc (@esquerdanet). (3/11)
socialeurope.eu/portugals-cont…

@JoanaRamiroUK @psocialista @CDUPCPPEV @EsquerdaNet This type of governing bloc was new, but it achieved some surprising results. It reversed the worst austerity measures imposed by the last govt, & increased economic growth while investing in or renationalizing public services. Portugal also welcomed over 2,100 refugees. (4/11)

@JoanaRamiroUK @psocialista @CDUPCPPEV @EsquerdaNet In this Sunday's general elections (#legislativas2019), Portuguese voters seemed somewhat content with Geringonça. They gave more power to the Socialist Party, but didn’t grant them a full majority without their far-left partners. (5/11)

@JoanaRamiroUK @psocialista @CDUPCPPEV @EsquerdaNet The traditional right-wing parties failed at the ballot box – @ppdpsd received its lowest results on record. The resignation of Christian Democrats leader Assunção Cristas also resulted in memes like this adapted picture of the 1974 revolution. (6/11)

https://twitter.com/flanconapucara/status/1180959705444732929?s=20

@JoanaRamiroUK @psocialista @CDUPCPPEV @EsquerdaNet @ppdpsd The animal rights and environmentalist group PAN spoke directly to the #ClimateStrike generation, quadrupling its seats. Three new parties also entered the assembly ... including the first fascist party to be elected to parliament in 45 years. (7/11)

@JoanaRamiroUK @psocialista @CDUPCPPEV @EsquerdaNet @ppdpsd But more than 40% of voters abstained – the highest number since democracy was restored to the country in 1974. It signaled disillusionment, and a feeling that 2019's political offering can't provide real answers to Portugal's woes. (8/11)

https://twitter.com/LuisCornagoB/status/1181202895632556034?s=20

@JoanaRamiroUK @psocialista @CDUPCPPEV @EsquerdaNet @ppdpsd There were some promising steps forward, though. There are now three Black women members of parliament, making it the most ethnically diverse parliament Portugal has ever seen. (9/11)

https://twitter.com/analuciaraujo_/status/1181205492842074113?s=20

@JoanaRamiroUK @psocialista @CDUPCPPEV @EsquerdaNet @ppdpsd The challenge now is twofold:

1. Socialists will need to form a govt that can stick together to continue the work of past years.
2. Smaller far-left parties will have to cooperate with PS without abandoning their more radical positions. (10/11)
jacobinmag.com/2019/10/portug…

@JoanaRamiroUK @psocialista @CDUPCPPEV @EsquerdaNet @ppdpsd It's clear that another socially progressive but fiscally timid government won't be able to defeat the political apathy that many of Portugal's voters feel, or keep the forces of reactionary populism at bay. It remains to be seen what comes next. (11/11)