| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Assembleia da Republica / Assembly of the Republic |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
27 September 2009 |
| Purpose of elections |
Elections were held for all the seats in the Assembly of the Republic on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. |
The September 2009 elections were held against the backdrop of the global economic crisis
which severely affected the country of 10 million inhabitants. The country's economy contracted by 3.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The unemployment rate increased from 7.9 to 9.1 per cent
the highest in 20 years. The State budget deficit is expected to exceed 6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009.
In the previous elections held in February 2005 (see note)
the Socialist Party (PS) won 121 of the 230 seats in the Assembly of the Republic. The then ruling Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) took 75. Mr. Jose Socrates (PS) became the new Prime Minister.
Mr. Socrates implemented a series of economic and social reforms
promising to make the Portuguese economy more competitive. These reforms helped reduce the budget deficit from 6.1 per cent in 2005 to 1.8 per cent in 2007
prior to the arrival of the global economic crisis.
How to deal with the economic crisis remained the main issue in the 2009 elections
in which 15 political parties were vying for seats.
Prime Minister Socrates promised to implement large-scale public works projects to create more jobs. These included a new Lisbon airport
a bullet train to Spain as well as a road and rail bridge across the River Tagus in Lisbon. He also promised to continue economic and social reforms.
The largest opposition party
the PPD/PSD
was led by Ms. Manuela Ferreira Leite
who was aspiring to become Portugal's first elected woman prime minister. Ms. Ferreira Leite argued that the PS's public works projects were wasteful and a non-essential luxury. She claimed that the PS would be passing on debts to future generations. Ms. Ferreira Leite
a former finance minister
pledged to make huge cuts in government spending and boost private investment to revive the economy. The PPD/PSD promised to improve the reform plans by pursuing broader consensus. Although the PPD/PSD had ruled the country with the PS in the 1980s
Ms. Ferreira Leite vehemently rejected such a coalition during the election campaign.
The Democratic and Social Centre - People's Party (CDS-PP) led by Mr. Paulo Portas pledged to remain the best opposition force to the PS government. The Left Bloc (BE
which had won eight seats in 2005)
led by Mr. Francisco Louca
promised to introduce higher corporate taxes to pay for social services. Mr. Jeronimo de Sousa led the Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) comprising the Communist Party - Green Coalition (PCP-PEV). The CDU had won 14 seats in the 2005 elections. Both the BE and the CDU ruled out the possibility of joining a PS-led government.
A total of 59.74 per cent of the 9.5 million registered voters turned out at the polls.
The PS remained the largest party in the Assembly of the Republic with 97 seats but failed to retain an absolute majority. The PPD/PSD took 81
six more than in the 2005 elections. The CDS-PP secured 21 seats
up from 12. The BE doubled its share from eight to 16. The PCP-PEV took the remaining 15 seats. 64 women were elected.
On 15 October
the Assembly of the Republic held its first session and re-elected Mr. Jaime Gama (PS) as its Speaker.
Note:
In Portugal
general elections are held between 14 September and 14 October in the year in which the term of Parliament ends. If there are early elections
the new parliament completes the remaining term of the outgoing parliament in addition to its four-year term. The 2009 elections were thus held in September instead of February. |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 27 September 2009 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
9'514'322
5'683'967 (59.74%)
177'184
5'506'783 |
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of votes |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Candidates |
Votes |
|
|
% |
|
|
| Socialist Party (PS) |
|
2'077'695 |
|
|
37.88 |
|
|
| Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) |
|
1'654'777 |
|
|
30.17 |
|
|
| Democratic and Social Centre - People's Party (CDS-PP) |
|
592'997 |
|
|
10.81 |
|
|
| Left Bloc (BE) |
|
558'062 |
|
|
10.17 |
|
|
| Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) |
|
446'994 |
|
|
8.15 |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total
|
Number of women |
|
|
|
| Socialist Party (PS) |
97
|
28 |
|
|
|
| Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD) |
81
|
22 |
|
|
|
| Democratic and Social Centre - People's Party (CDS-PP) |
21
|
4 |
|
|
|
| Left Bloc (BE) |
16
|
7 |
|
|
|
| Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) |
15
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
166
64
27.83%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
| Comments |
Note on the 'Distribution of seats according to sex':
64 women were elected in the September 2009 elections. However
the number of women was reduced to 63 after the formation of the new Government in October 2009.
Sources:
- Assembly of the Republic (12.10.2009
11.11.2009)
- http://www.legislativas2009.mj.pt/index.html |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module
