LUÍS FORRA / LUSA
The great growth of arrives in certain municipalities is worrying the remaining parties for municipalities, especially in 21 municipalities where it arrives was the most voted and which have mayors at the end of its term.
The arrival was the most voted party in 60 municipalities In the last legislature, a growth that is seriously concerned traditional parties, especially with municipal elections of this autumn already on the horizon.
The threat becomes more real in 21 of these municipalities where current chamber presidents are at the end of mandate, increasing the odds of a change in the party in power. Among the most sensitive cases are Olhão, Portimão and Sintra – The latter the second largest county in the country.
The PS, a party that still has most of the chambers, is particularly aware of Sintra, where Basil Horta completes three terms and will not be recalled. The former minister Ana Mendes Godinho will be the socialist bet To try to wage the rise of the arrival, which in the legislatures exceeded the PS and AD, becoming the most voted party in the county. The arrival candidate, Rita Matias, is one of the most visible figures of the party and has a strong presence on social networks.
For the political analyst Paula Espírito Santo, despite the differences between legislative and municipalities, there are points of affinity that can benefit the arrivalas the notoriety of candidates and widespread dissatisfaction with traditional parties. “One can believe in a figure that is not on earth, but it can help project it,” he defends in statements to.
Still, the expert stresses that in local elections also weigh factors such as proximity to candidates and personal prestige, in addition to the existence of independent applications.
The advance of arrival is particularly southernin regions such as the Algarve, Alentejo and the district of Santarém, including municipalities that were already bastions from the left. In the 60 municipalities where it was the most voted, and in the many others where it was in second place, the party demonstrates a fertile field to grow.
In 2021, the arrival did not elect any mayor And it was for the national 4.2%. In recent legislatures, in many of these municipalities, it exceeded 30%of the votes, as in Vila Real de Santo António (38.6%) and Elvas (43.5%).
“The arrival can have a local dimension Which does not have yet, ”predicts Paula Espírito Santo, who recalls“ No No Montenegro to agree with arrival, has not applied to regional elections on the islands and is likely not to be applied to the municipalities.
Left unites against the arrival
This transformation is especially concerned with the left. Rui Tavares, leader of the free, called on a “quick reflection” and a reorganization from the left to summer. In Lisbon, this movement is already underway, with advanced conversations between the PS, the free, the PAN and the possibility of integrating the left block in a coalition led by Alexandra Leitão.
Despite the bad result in the legislatures, the BE refuses to be seen as a “toxic asset” and recalls that, in several zones, the joining of forces on the left would have allowed Avoid arrival. The PCP, in turn, has been kept out of negotiations, which raised criticism from Rui Tavares.
In the PSD, attention is also focused on Lisbon, where Carlos Coins has not yet confirmed whether he will be a reconditers, and in Porto, where Pedro Duarte tries to attract the supporters of Rui Moreira. The arrives, in turn, presents Less known candidates In these two cities, betting on names with local profile like Pedro Pinto to Faro.
The possible entry of arrives in local authority is seen as a turning point in Portuguese politics. The national dimension achieved in the legislatures can now be reflected in the local level, making the next municipalities a decisive test to the sustained growth of André Ventura’s party.
