These are the 50 years of free voting, marking the first time women could vote in Portugal,” emphasized Mariana Mortágua. She appealed to everyone to vote, urging both women and men who aspire for a fairer country to participate and vote with conviction, choosing representatives who truly reflect their views.
The national coordinator of the Left Bloc (BE) addressed reporters after casting her vote in the snap legislative elections at Section 23 of Lisbon’s Basic School No. 1, located in the Arroios parish.
“The most effective vote is the one that elects the deputies who defend us and our ideas in parliament and put forward proposals beneficial to our lives. That’s the most useful vote of all,” she asserted.
Mortágua arrived at the polling station around 11:30 a.m., sporting a keffiyeh, a black and white checkered scarf often associated with the Palestinian cause, as she exercised her voting rights.
She shared an encounter she had on her way to the voting booth with a woman whose son had to move to Vila Franca de Xira because he could no longer manage to afford housing in the neighborhood.
“I believe we must vote to change our lives,” Mortágua reflected.
Leading the BE’s list in Lisbon, she stressed that there was still “plenty of time” for voting and encouraged all eligible voters to participate.
Mortágua indicated plans to spend the rest of the day resting and “awaiting the first projections with great confidence and enthusiasm.”
The BE will hold its election night at the Casa do Alentejo in Lisbon.
According to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Internal Administration (SGMAI), 10.8 million voters are eligible to participate in today’s snap legislative elections.
Overall, 230 deputies will be elected from 22 electoral districts—18 in mainland Portugal and the remainder in the Azores, Madeira, Europe, and outside Europe—at a projected electoral cost of approximately 26.5 million euros.
In this election, 21 political entities are competing, an increase of three from last year’s March elections.
The Social Liberal Party (PLS) is making its debut in this election, joining established parties like the Democratic Alliance (PSD/CDS-PP), PS, Chega, IL, BE, CDU (PCP/PEV), Livre, PAN, ADN, RIR, JPP, PCTP/MRPP, New Right, Volt Portugal, Rise Up, Nós, Cidadãos!, and PPM. In the autonomous regions, the MPT, PTP, and PSD/CDS/PPM present lists.
[Updated at 12:39 p.m.]
