Portugal ranks as the second country in the European Union with the most elections held over the past decade, following only Bulgaria. Nuno Melo, leader of the CDS party, emphasized the importance of voting to ensure stability in Portugal, urging citizens to participate in the democratic process. “Whoever is elected, vote. In the election campaign, we did everything we could, traversing the country. All parties did this, and now is the time to celebrate democracy,” he stated.
Melo, who cast his vote at the Manoel Oliveira School in Porto at around 11:45 a.m., expressed his observation of a notable turnout, more significant, he noted, than the same time the previous year. He interpreted this as a positive indication concerning voter abstention.
“The fact that we have had numerous elections might also encourage the Portuguese to break this cycle. We will have local and presidential elections, having had legislative elections just over a year ago. We are facing successive campaigns and continuous appeals to vote, but what’s important is that Portugal hopefully enters a cycle of stability, allowing people to focus on what truly matters,” Melo elaborated.
Emphasizing the necessity for stability, Melo remarked that while it is desirable, it ultimately depends on the will of the Portuguese people.
Polling stations will remain open until 19:00 in mainland Portugal and Madeira, with the Azores operating with an hour’s delay due to time zone differences from Lisbon.
A total of 21 political entities are contesting these elections, an increase of three parties compared to last March’s elections.
The Social Liberal Party (PLS) makes its debut in these elections, joining AD (PSD/CDS-PP), PS, Chega, IL, BE, CDU (PCP/PEV), Livre, PAN, ADN, RIR, JPP, PCTP/MRPP, Nova Direita, Volt Portugal, Ergue-te, Nós, Cidadãos!, PPM, with regional-only lists from MPT, PTP, and PSD/CDS/PPM.
In the last legislative elections on March 10, 2024, voter abstention was recorded at 40.16%, marking the lowest rate since 2005 when it was 35.74%, coinciding with José Sócrates securing the first absolute majority for the PS.
According to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Internal Administration (SGMAI), approximately 10.8 million voters are eligible to vote in these elections.
A total of 230 deputies will be elected across 22 electoral districts, with 18 located in mainland Portugal and the remainder in the Azores, Madeira, Europe, and outside Europe.
The electoral process is estimated to cost approximately 26.5 million euros.
