Luís Paixão Martins emphasized the importance of polls for communication professionals during a European Parliament training session for young journalists at the Lusa agency in Lisbon.
The expert cited an Intercampus poll suggesting a lead for João Noronha Lopes in the Benfica presidential election intentions. However, Lopes ended up behind Rui Costa in the first round.
Paixão Martins clarified that the poll was conducted at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon before a football match, noting the results would vary if conducted before or after the game.
The former consultant stressed that the poll was not incorrect but represented only a sample of “people who attend the match and vote at the pavilion, not at Benfica’s headquarters.”
He warned that the major issue with polls is an “overly simplistic interpretation” of something complex.
In the same session, Gfk Metris Director-General António Gomes argued polls are a work tool, legally required to be filed with the regulator and adhere to a set of rules.
“None of you can start a polling company today and publish political studies the next day. There was a clear moralization to prevent polls from being used as political marketing,” he emphasized.
Discussion also covered the European elections across 27 member states, particularly voter turnout factors.
Luís Paixão Martins noted difficulties in finding ideological, transactional, or resentment-driven reasons for voting, despite Portugal’s high approval of EU membership.
He pointed out a lack of “party divergence, confrontation, or face-off that would mobilize many people.”
Gfk Metris’s director-general believes some “doctrinal and ideological polarization” may make the upcoming European elections more substantive, citing the stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict as an example.
“I don’t think the Portuguese are apathetic, but they might feel voting isn’t crucial for the European elections. Yet, ideologically, some differences within the European family could cause friction,” António Gomes added.
This edition of the European Parliament’s young journalist training program spanned three days, covering topics like the European Union, elections, democracy, communication, and misinformation.
