The rise and fall of the centre-right coalition government in Portugal (2002-2005)

• Published in: Lusotopie : enjeux contemporains dans les espaces lusophones Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 39 - 59
• Main Author: MAGONE, José M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leiden Brill 01.06.2006
• Subjects: Coalition Formation; Coalitions; Economic Policy; Elections; European Union; Government Policy; Majorities; Monetary Policy; Political Development; Political Integration; Political Parties; Political sociology; Political systems, parties and institutions; Portugal; Right Wing Politics; Sociology; European Union; Portugal; Economic Policy; Government; Monetary Policy; Political Opposition; Fiscal Policy; Parliamentary election; Government Policy; Comparison; Socialist Party; Coalition; Social-Democratic Party; Election result; Century 21; Formation
• ISSN: 1257-0273; 1768-3084
• DOI: 10.1163/176830806777584779

This article assesses the impact of the centre-right coalition government on Portuguese economy, society & polities. It starts with an analysis of the coalition formation process & places it in the context of previous coalition governments in Portugal. The austerity measures of the coalition government are then discussed at length. Moreover, government policies are placed within the context of the emerging regime of monetary policy & fiscal discipline imposed by the European integration process. The austerity measures of the government were quite unpopular, allowing the opposition parties on the left to make electoral gains in the two mid-term elections to the European Parliament & to the regional assemblies of Madeira & the Azores. The disorganised image of the Santana Lopes government led to early elections being called by President Jorge Sampaio. On 20 February 2005, the Socialist Party under popular leader Jose Socrates won the legislative elections with an absolute majority. Tables. Adapted from the source document.