Economist Mafalda Rebordão, this week’s guest on ‘Importa-se de Repetir’, explains how social networks are shaping the political decisions of the younger population, who mostly build their opinion based on the digital content consumed.
No on SIC Notícias, António Gomes, general director of GFK mistressstated that the next presidential election will show a country in generational shock. Will it be like this? The ‘Importa-se de Repetir’ panel debates this issue, this Wednesday with the presence of Mafalda Rebordão, economist and member of the President of the Republic’s reflection group on the future of the country.
This week’s guest believes that this is a “relevant” topic and says that “the majority of people who do comment about young people is not young.”
“I think it’s interesting to see how young people think and I think there’s nothing better than looking at the numbers to understand how young people think about in relation to these elections”, he says.
The economist indicates that the younger segment of the population, due to the impact of social networks, is following elections more, both elections and those that will be used to elect the next head of state.o, on January 18, 2026.
“The numbers tell us that the candidates with whom they identify most are Cotrim de Figueiredo and André Ventura and I would say that this is related to the way these candidates have been communicating on social networkss – meeting young people where they are”, he informs.
Mafalda Rebordão points out that the age of the candidates, in turn, is not the factor that more influences young people’s decisions. “The majority of young people are on social media and make their decisions on social media”, he adds.
For the expert, political parties have “very traditional structures”, which ends up alienating this electorate.
He explains that, with digital platforms, there is no longer a “mediator” – the party – and the candidates themselves “can construct” their own narrative, “which goes directly to athe audience.”
is SIC Notícias’ new political analysis space, with Bernardo Ferrão, Ângela Silva and Paulo Baldaia, broadcast every Wednesday in the Evening Edition. In each episode, a current statement that has raised doubts or caused perplexity is chosen for debate and reflection.
