2002 Portuguese legislative election

none 2002 Portuguese legislative election Portugal parliamentary no 1999 Portuguese legislative election 1999 2005 Portuguese legislative election 2005 All 230 seats in the Assembly of the Republic 116 8,902,713 0.4% 5,472,851 (61.5%) 0.4 pp 17 March 2002 Jose Manuel Barroso, EU-kommissionens ordforande, under ett mote i Folketinget 2006-05-19 (1).jpg 130 110 150 20 0 José Durão Barroso Social Democratic Party (Portugal) 2 May 1999 Lisbon 81 seats, 32.3% 105 24 2,200,765 40.2% 7.9 pp Ferro Rodrigues.jpg 150 110 150 21 20 Ferro Rodrigues Socialist Party (Portugal) 20 January 2002 Lisbon 115 seats, 44.1% 96 19 2,068,584 37.8% 6.3 pp Paulo Portas 2002 (square).JPEG 215 110 150 12 50 Paulo Portas CDS – People's Party 22 March 1998 Aveiro 15 seats, 8.3% 14 1 477,350 8.7% 0.4 pp EP President meets with the Secretary General of the Portuguese Communist Party (cropped).jpg 130 110 150 5 10 FF0000 Carlos Carvalhas PCP CDU 5 December 1992 Lisbon 17 seats, 9.0% 12 5 379,870 6.9% 2.0 pp Deputados do Bloco de Esquerda (16) (4026598621).jpg 130 110 150 0 10 Francisco Louçã Left Bloc (Portugal) 24 March 1999 Lisbon 2 seats, 2.4% 3 1 153,877 2.8% 0.4 pp Prime Minister Prime Minister after election António Guterres Socialist Party (Portugal) José Manuel Barroso Social Democratic Party (Portugal) 230px Vote winner strength by district 272px Results by constituency outgoing members elected members The 2002 Portuguese legislative election took place on 17 March. The election renewed all 230 members of the Assembly of the Republic. This election was called following the resignation of then incumbent Prime Minister António Guterres, after the defeat of the Socialist Party in the 2001 local elections. That fact, plus the problematic state of the country's finances, were the main arguments for the right-wing opposition, making them the favorites to win the election. With just over 40 percent of the votes cast, the Social Democrats (PSD) regained the status as the largest political force in Portugal, although the Socialists (PS) won almost 38 percent of the vote. This was the closest legislative election in Portuguese democracy until 2024. This short distance also appears in the electoral map, with each party winning eleven of the 22 districts, while the PS won the two most populous, Lisbon and Porto. As a result, the Social Democrats failed to win the absolute majority they had between 1987 and 1995, despite having requested it during the campaign.https://www.publico.pt/2002/03/15/politica/noticia/durao-barroso-volta-a-apelar-a-maioria-absoluta-73989 Durão Barroso volta a apelar à maioria absoluta Público 15 August 2026 15 March 2002 As no party gained a majority, the Social Democrats formed a coalition with the right-wing People's Party (CDS–PP), which had a fairly solid performance, polling in third place.https://www.publico.pt/2002/03/17/politica/noticia/paulo-portas-classifica-resultado-do-cdspp-como-historico-75984 Paulo Portas classifica resultado do CDS-PP como "histórico" Público 15 August 2026 17 March 2002 The left-wing Democratic Unity Coalition (CDU) achieved its lowest result up to that point, being surpassed by CDS–PP and finishing third in its traditional strongholds of Évora and Setúbal. The Left Bloc (BE) gained just one MP. Voter turnout was slightly higher than it was in 1999, as 61.5 percent of the electorate cast a ballot. Background 1999 Portuguese legislative election#Aftermath After the disappointing result of the Socialist Party (PS) in the 1999 election, the PS government entered in a series of crises."António Guterres e o pântano ", Público, 31 December 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2022. Resignations of ministers from government, a worsening fiscal and economic situationhttps://www.publico.pt/2002/04/29/economia/noticia/economia-portuguesa-perdeu-ritmo-de-2000-para-2001-133435 Economia portuguesa perdeu ritmo de 2000 para 2001 Público 10 August 2026 29 April 2002https://www.publico.pt/2001/07/07/jornal/a-crise-orcamental-159585 A crise orçamental Público 10 August 2026 7 July 2001 and the inability to pass legislation in Parliament, put pressure over the government, leading to controversial, and weird, alliances, such as the approval of the 2000 and 2001 budgets by a sole CDS – People's Party (CDS–PP) member of parliament, Daniel Campelo, in exchange for the government approving a cheese factory in Campelo's hometown, Ponte de Lima, in Viana do Castelo district."Há 21 anos o orçamento valeu um queijo limiano ", Observador, 12 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2022. Government fall 2001 Portuguese local elections The Socialist Party suffered a big, and unexpected, defeat in the December 2001 local elections."PS sofre hecatombe inesperada ", Público, 17 December 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2022. The party lost major municipalities across the country, mainly Lisbon, Porto, Sintra and Coimbra to the Social Democratic Party. Due to this surprising defeat, Prime Minister António Guterres announced he would tender his resignation as Prime Minister to prevent the country from falling "into a political swamp"."A noite que mudou a vida de Guterres ", Expresso, 13 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2022. President Jorge Sampaio accepted Guterres resignation and called a snap election for March 2002."Sampaio assina decreto que dissolve Parlamento e marca eleições antecipadas ", Público, 17 January 2002. Retrieved 23 October 2022. Leadership changes and challenges Social Democratic Party After the 1999 election defeat, Durão Barroso's leadership started to be challenged and criticized."Divisões no PSD", RTP, 17 January 2000. Retrieved 21 November 2021. In January 2000, Durão Barroso called a snap party congress to resolve the leadership dispute."Durão Barroso desafia Santana Lopes", RTP, 19 January 2000. Retrieved 21 November 2021. Alongside Barroso, Pedro Santana Lopes and Luís Marques Mendes also ran. Durão Barroso was reelected as PSD leader and the results were the following: Ballot: 27 February 2000 |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" ! align="center" colspan=2 style="width: 60px"|Candidate ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|Votes ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|% |- |bgcolor=orange| | align=left | José Manuel Durão Barroso | align=right | 469 | align=right | 50.3 |- |bgcolor=orange| | align=left | Pedro Santana Lopes | align=right | 313 | align=right | 33.6 |- |bgcolor=orange| | align=left | Luís Marques Mendes | align=right | 150 | align=right | 16.1 |- |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Turnout | align=right | 932 | align=center | |- | colspan="4" align=left|Source: Results |} Socialist Party 2002 Portuguese Socialist Party leadership election Following the resignation of António Guterres as Prime Minister and PS leader,"Guterres apresenta demissão depois de derrota nas autárquicas (act)", Jornal de Negócios, 17 December 2001. Retrieved 21 November 2021. the party started the process to elect a new leader. The popular minister in Guterres cabinet, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, and PS member Paulo Penedos, were the two candidates on the ballot, while the minister of Foreign Affairs Jaime Gama, who had announced his candidacy, dropped out.2001-12-20 Acção Socialista n.º 1135 https://as.ps.pt/pdf/2001/AS1135.pdf 2025-11-01 ps.pt Around 121,000 PS members were registered to vote."Acção Socialista", PS, 10 January 2002. Retrieved 7 June 2022. In the end, Ferro Rodrigues got almost unanimous support by being elected with almost 97 percent of the votes."Ferro Rodrigues eleito novo secretário-geral do PS ", Público, 20 January 2002. Retrieved 21 November 2021. The results were the following: Ballot: 18 and 19 January 2002 |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" ! align="center" colspan=2 style="width: 60px"|Candidate ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|Votes ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|% |- |bgcolor=Socialist Party (Portugal)| | align=left | Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues | align=right | | align=right | 96.5 |- |bgcolor=Socialist Party (Portugal)| | align=left | Paulo Penedos | align=right | | align=right | 2.7 |- | colspan=2 align=left | Blank/Invalid ballots | align=right | | align=right | 0.8 |- |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Turnout | align=right | | align=center | |- | colspan="4" align=left|Source: Results |} Electoral system thumb|Official logo of the election. The Assembly of the Republic has 230 members elected to four-year terms. Governments do not require absolute majority support of the Assembly to hold office, as even if the number of opposers of government is larger than that of the supporters, the number of opposers still needs to be equal or greater than 116 (absolute majority) for both the Government's Programme to be rejected or for a motion of no confidence to be approved. http://www.en.parlamento.pt/Legislation/CRP/Constitution7th.pdf Constitution of the Portuguese Republic 2019-12-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222446/http://www.en.parlamento.pt/Legislation/CRP/Constitution7th.pdf 2016-03-03 dead The number of seats assigned to each district depends on the district magnitude.http://www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/staff/michael_gallagher/ElSystems/Docts/effthresh.php Effective threshold in electoral systems Trinity College, Dublin 2015-10-21 The use of the d'Hondt method makes for a higher effective threshold than certain other allocation methods such as the Hare quota or Sainte-Laguë method, which are more generous to small parties.Gallaher, Michael (1992). "Comparing Proportional Representation Electoral Systems: Quotas, Thresholds, Paradoxes and Majorities" For these elections, and compared with the 1999 elections, the MPs distributed by districts were the following:http://www.cne.pt/sites/default/files/dl/md_ar2002.html Eleição da Assembleia da República de 17 de Março de 2002 CNE - Comissão Nacional de Eleições - Eleição da Assembleia da República de 17 de Março de 2002 2 December 2020 District Number of MPs Map Lisbonred (–1) 48 Portuguese legislative election - Blank map.svg 220 0.64 0.21 180 140% 18 0.62 0.09 180 140% 6 0.64 0.33 180 140% 38 0.85 0.23 180 140% 5 0.98 0.22 190 140% 4 0.58 0.50 180 140% 15 0.77 0.50 180 140% 9 0.97 0.50 180 140% 4 0.62 0.69 180 140% 10 0.89 0.77 180 140% 5 0.48 0.85 180 140% 10 0.59 0.97 180 140% 10 0.25 0.652 300 140% 48 0.85 0.999 180 140% 3 0.48 0.737 300 140% 3 0.29 0.732 300 140% 17 0.48 0.887 300 140% 3 0.41 0.870 350 140% 8 0.03 0.60 350 140% 5 0.03 0.75 350 140% 5 0.11 0.85 350 140% 2 0.07 0.89 350 140% 2 Portogreen (+1) 38 Bragagreen (+1) 18 Setúbal 17 Aveiro 15 Leiria, Santarém and Coimbra 10 Viseu 9 Faro 8 Viana do Castelo 6 Azores, Castelo Branco, Madeira and Vila Real 5 Bragança and Guarda 4 Beja, Évorared (–1) and Portalegre 3 Europe and Outside Europe 2 Parties Following the failure to form a joint coalition for the 1999 election, the idea of a PSD/CDS–PP was once again raised but ultimately rejected.Santana Lopes rejeita coligação com PP https://www.publico.pt/2001/12/20/politica/noticia/santana-lopes-rejeita-coligacao-com-pp-55291 26 July 2026 20 December 2001 Público pt-PTSociais-democratas não querem coligação com CDS-PP https://www.publico.pt/2001/12/20/politica/noticia/sociaisdemocratas-nao-querem-coligacao-com-cdspp-55318 26 July 2026 20 December 2001 Público pt-PT The table below lists the parties represented in the Assembly of the Republic during the 8th legislature (1999–2002) and that also partook in the election: Name Ideology Political position Leader 1999 result Seats atdissolution % Seats PS Socialist PartyPartido Socialista Social democracy Centre-left Ferro Rodrigues 44.1% 115 230 Socialist Party (Portugal) 115 230 Socialist Party (Portugal) PPD/PSD Social Democratic PartyPartido Social DemocrataLiberal conservatismClassical liberalism Centre-right José Manuel Durão Barroso 32.3% 81 230 Social Democratic Party (Portugal) 81 230 Social Democratic Party (Portugal) PCP Portuguese Communist PartyPartido Comunista Português CommunismMarxism–Leninism Far-left Carlos Carvalhas9.0%Unitary Democratic Coalition 15 230 #FF0000 15 230 #FF0000 PEV Ecologist Party "The Greens"Partido Ecologista "Os Verdes" Eco-socialismGreen politics Left-wing Isabel Castro 2 230 Ecologist Party "The Greens" 2 230 Ecologist Party "The Greens" CDS–PP CDS – People's PartyCentro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular Christian democracyConservatism Centre-rightto right-wing Paulo Portas 8.3% 15 230 CDS – People's Party 14 230 CDS – People's Party BE Left BlocBloco de Esquerda Democratic socialismAnti-capitalism Left-wing Francisco Louçã 2.4% 2 230 Left Bloc (Portugal) 1 230 Left Bloc (Portugal) Ind. IndependentIndependenteDaniel Campelo (left the CDS – People's Party caucus)Deputado Daniel Campleo https://www.parlamento.pt/DeputadoGP/Paginas/Biografia.aspx?BID=1724 26 January 2025 www.parlamento.pt pt-PT1 230 Independent Seat changes On 7 November 2000, MP Daniel Campelo, elected in the CDS – People's Party list for Viana do Castelo, left the party and became an Independent, following a split with CDS–PP regarding his votes in favour of António Guterres government's State budgets."Os orçamentos do PS e Daniel Campelo", RTP, 8 September 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2025. Campaign period Issues The campaign was dominated by the country's economic situation. Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader, Durão Barroso, proposed strong changes, from a "fiscal shock", by cutting income and corporate taxes, to reforms in the public sector.https://www.publico.pt/2002/02/26/politica/noticia/choque-fiscal-do-psd-so-beneficiara-5-por-cento-da-populacao-diz-cravinho-68063 Choque fiscal do PSD só beneficiará 5 por cento da população, diz Cravinho pt Público 26 July 2026 26 February 2002https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/15/IHT-clear-choice-for-portugal-voters.html Clear choice for Portugal voters en The New York Times 26 July 2026 15 March 2002 The issue of public sector reform, in addition to gaffes made during the campaign, created problems to the PSD cause.https://expresso.pt/legislativas2015/2015-09-21-Quando-os-salarios-congelaram-Durao Quando os salários congelaram Durão pt Expresso 26 July 2026 21 September 2015 On the other side, the Socialists (PS), led by Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, portrayed the PSD policies as "voodoo economics", adding this would jeopardize Portugal's deficit situation, even though the party also proposed tax and spending cuts. Despite being stronger than Barroso in personal popularity polls, Ferro Rodrigues had to contend with accusations of mismanagement, corruption, and problematic public service responses during the Socialists' six-year term.https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/19/IHT-victory-in-portugal-lifts-european-right.html Victory in Portugal lifts European right en The New York Times 26 July 2026 19 March 2002 The People's Party (CDS–PP) focused on issues such as security and wage increases,https://www.publico.pt/2002/03/14/politica/noticia/paulo-portas-apela-ao-voto-da-classe-media-73481 Paulo Portas apela ao voto da classe média pt Público 26 July 2026 14 March 2002 while the left-wing, mainly the communist Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU), campaigned to bolster its vote count with a view to potential post-election alliances with the PS.https://www.publico.pt/2002/01/30/politica/noticia/carvalhas-favoravel-a-alianca-poseleitoral-com-ps-61185 Carvalhas favorável a aliança pós-eleitoral com PS pt Público 26 July 2026 30 January 2002 Party slogans Party or alliance Original slogan English translation Refs PS « Fazer bem » "Do well" https://ephemerajpp.com/2017/07/18/eleicoes-legislativas-de-2002-ps/ ELEIÇÕES LEGISLATIVAS DE 2002 – PS pt EPHEMERA 11 May 2020 PSD « Somos todos Portugal » "We are all Portugal" https://ephemerajpp.com/2015/08/02/eleicoes-legislativas-de-2002-psd/ ELEIÇÕES LEGISLATIVAS DE 2002 – PSD pt EPHEMERA 11 May 2020 CDU « Mudar para melhor » "Change for the better" https://www.pcp.pt/ar/legislativas02/abertura.html PCP Legislativas 2002 pt PCP 11 May 2020 CDS–PP « O braço direito de Portugal » "Portugal's right-hand man" https://ephemerajpp.com/2017/03/26/eleicoes-legislativas-de-2002-cds/ ELEIÇÕES LEGISLATIVAS DE 2002 – CDS pt EPHEMERA 11 May 2020 BE « Com Razões Fortes » "With Strong Reasons" https://www.bloco.org/documentos/manifestos-eleitorais/item/3202-manifesto-legislativas-2002-com-raz%C3%B5es-fortes.html Manifesto Legislativas 2002 pt BE 11 May 2020 Candidates' debates 2002 Portuguese legislative election debates Date Organisers Moderator(s)    black #D0FFD0  P  Present   black #ffffdd  A  Absent invitee black #FFD0D0  N  Non-invitee  PSRodrigues PSDBarroso CDUCarvalhas CDS–PPPortas BELouçã Refs 26 Feb SIC PPNNN 27 Feb 2002 https://www.publico.pt/2002/02/27/portugal/noticia/debate-ferrodurao-visto-por-12-milhoes-de-espectadores-68270 Debate Ferro/Durão visto por 1,2 milhões de espectadores pt Público 11 May 2020 12 Mar RTP1 Judite de SousaJosé Alberto CarvalhoPPPPP 2002 http://www.rtp.pt/programa/tv/p1621 DEBATE: LEGISLATIVAS 2005 pt RTP1 11 May 2020 Opinion polling Exit poll Opinion poll The following table shows the opinion polls of voting intention of the Portuguese voters before the election. Included is also the result of the Portuguese general elections in 1999 and 2002 for reference. #EAFFEA Exit poll 1px solid #AAAAAA Polling firm/Link Date Released35px|link=Socialist Party (Portugal)|PS33px|link=Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|PSD31px|link=Unitary Democratic Coalition|CDU25px|link=CDS – People's Party|CDS–PP25px|link=Left Bloc (Portugal)|BE O Others Lead 2002 legislative election 17 Mar 2002 37.875% Verdana 96 40.275% Verdana 105 6.975% Verdana 12 8.775% Verdana 14 2.775% Verdana 3 3.775% Verdana 0 2.4 UCP 17 Mar 2002 75% Verdana (20:00) 36–41 37–42 5.5–8 7.5–10 3–4 — 1 Eurosondagem 17 Mar 2002 75% Verdana (20:00) 35.5–39.3 40.1–43.9 6.2–8.4 6.2–8.4 2.0–3.4 — 4.6 Intercampus 17 Mar 2002 75% Verdana (20:00) 35.5–40.5 37.8–42.8 6.8–9.8 5.3–8.3 1.6–4.2 — 2.3 Marktest 15 Mar 2002 35.2 43.7 8.1 6.0 3.7 3.3 8.5 Lusófona 15 Mar 2002 40.9 43.6 5.7 7.1 2.8 2.7 Eurosondagem 15 Mar 2002 39.3 41.4 6.9 5.6 3.5 3.3 2.1 Eurequipa 15 Mar 2002 33.9 44.7 7.1 9.1 3.2 2.0 10.8 UCP 14 Mar 2002 37.575% Verdana 93/101 42.275% Verdana 103/110 6.975% Verdana 10/15 6.875% Verdana 7/2 3.675% Verdana 3/6 3.075% Verdana 0 4.7 Intercampus 14 Mar 2002 39 41 8 5 3 4 2 Aximage 14 Mar 2002 40 44 7 6 2 1 4 SIC/Visão 13 Mar 2002 36.2 41.0 6.6 5.2 2.0 9.0 4.8 Eurosondagem 8 Mar 2002 39.9 42.7 17.4 2.8 Marktest 8 Mar 2002 36 43 6 7 4 4 7 Visão 7 Mar 2002 38.4 41.2 2.4 5.4 2.1 10.5 2.8 Eurosondagem 2 Mar 2002 35 38 6 5 2 14 3 Eurequipa 1 Mar 2002 35.0 42.3 22.7 7.3 SIC/Visão 28 Feb 2002 43.0 47.6 9.4 4.6 UCP 26 Feb 2002 35.6 43.5 5.5 4.7 2.7 8.0 7.9 Marktest Feb 2002 34.7 45.7 6.7 7.3 2.5 3.1 11.0 UCP 10 Jan 2002 41.4 43.0 7.1 2.7 2.5 3.3 1.6 Marktest Jan 2002 33.8 41.8 9.6 8.1 2.5 4.2 8.0 Marktest 22 Dec 2001 34 39 11 9 3 4 5 2001 local elections 16 Dec 2001 37.1 41.1 10.6 4.0 1.2 6.0 4.0 Marktest Nov 200135.4 33.7 10.6 11.6 2.9 5.8 1.7 Marktest Oct 200135.9 33.9 10.5 11.5 2.7 5.5 2.0 UCP 11 Oct 200142.4 36.2 7.6 5.0 2.6 6.2 6.2 UCP Jul 200141.7 38.2 6.1 6.0 2.3 5.7 3.5 Marktest 28 Jun 2001 34.8 35.1 10.7 10.7 3.3 5.4 0.3 SIC/Visão 8 Jun 2001 36.2 37.8 26.0 1.6 Marktest 27 Apr 200138 34 9 10 9 4 Marktest Mar 200139 35 26 4 Marktest 26 Jan 200137 33 10 11 3 6 4 Marktest 26 May 200038.1 30.3 10.8 13.3 2.8 4.7 7.8 UCPCatólica 8 May 200040.9 32.5 6.7 8.1 3.0 8.8 8.4 1999 legislative election 10 Oct 1999 44.175% Verdana 115 32.375% Verdana 81 9.075% Verdana 17 8.375% Verdana 15 2.475% Verdana 2 3.975% Verdana 0 11.9 Voter turnout The table below shows voter turnout throughout election day including voters from Overseas. Due to lack of data from the 1999 election, it's not possible to compare the turnout throughout election day between the two elections. Turnout Time 12:00 16:00 19:00 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 ± Total 18.00% 45.88% 61.09% 61.48% 0.39 pp Sources17 March 2002 https://www.publico.pt/2002/03/17/politica/noticia/votaram-18-por-cento-dos-eleitores-ate-ao-meiodia-74898 Votaram 18 por cento dos eleitores até ao meio-dia pt Público 8 June 202320 February 2005 https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/00-mais-de-metade-dos-eleitores-ja-tinha-votado_n6172 00, mais de metade dos eleitores já tinha votado pt RTP 8 June 2023 Results National summary File:Portugal Parliament 2002.svg Social Democratic Party 2200765 +7.89 105 +24 Socialist Party 2068584 –6.26 96 –19 CDS – People's Party 477350 +0.38 14 –1 Unitary Democratic CoalitionCDU 379870 –2.05 12 –5 Left Bloc 149966 +0.30 3 +1 Portuguese Workers' Communist Party 36193 –0.08 0 0 Earth Party 15540 –0.09 0 0 People's Monarchist Party 12398 –0.08 0 0 Humanist Party 11472 +0.07 0 0 National Renovator Party 4712 New 0 New Workers' Party of Socialist Unity 4316 +0.00 0 0 Left Bloc–Popular Democratic UnionBE 3911 — 0 — National Solidarity PartyPSN 0 –0.21 0 0 5472851 +0.03 55121 –0.04 52653 +0.01 0 8902713 +0.38 Comissão Nacional de EleiçõesThe total vote count from the National Electoral Commission (CNE) is incorrect. In the results table and bar box, the correct number for the sum of votes was used to calculate the percentages for the different parties. Vote share #ddd 550px 500px PSD Social Democratic Party (Portugal) 40.21 PS Socialist Party (Portugal) 37.80 CDS-PP CDS – People's Party 8.72 CDU Portuguese Communist Party 6.94 BE Left Bloc (Portugal) 2.74 PCTP/MRPP Communist Party of the Portuguese Workers / Reorganizative Movement of the Party of the Proletariat 0.66 Others #777777 0.96 Blank/Invalid #DDDDDD 1.97 Parliamentary seats #ddd 550px 500px PSD Social Democratic Party (Portugal) 45.65 PS Socialist Party (Portugal) 41.74 CDS-PP CDS – People's Party 6.09 CDU Portuguese Communist Party 5.22 BE Left Bloc (Portugal) 1.30 Distribution by constituency Results of the 2002 election of the Portuguese Assembly of the Republicby constituency yes |- class="unsortable" !rowspan=2|Constituency!!%!!S!!%!!S!!%!!S!!%!!S!!%!!S !rowspan=2|TotalS |- class="unsortable" style="text-align:center;" !colspan=2 | PSD !colspan=2 | PS !colspan=2 | CDS–PP !colspan=2 | CDU !colspan=2 | BE |- | style="text-align:left;" | Azores | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|45.4 | 3 | 41.0 | 2 | 8.4 | - | 1.4 | - | 1.4 | - | 5 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Aveiro | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|46.4 | 8 | 33.5 | 5 | 12.9 | 2 | 2.6 | - | 1.8 | - | 15 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Beja | 21.2 | - | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|43.5 | 2 | 3.7 | - | 24.2 | 1 | 1.9 | - | 3 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Braga | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|44.4 | 9 | 37.4 | 8 | 9.3 | 1 | 4.4 | - | 1.7 | - | 18 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Bragança | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|53.2 | 3 | 30.0 | 1 | 10.9 | - | 1.9 | - | 0.9 | - | 4 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Castelo Branco | 38.3 | 2 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|46.1 | 3 | 7.1 | - | 3.3 | - | 1.5 | - | 5 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Coimbra | 41.0 | 5 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|41.3 | 5 | 6.7 | - | 5.1 | - | 2.4 | - | 10 |- | style="text-align:left;" | EvoraÉvora | 25.3 | 1 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|42.8 | 1 | 4.6 | - | 21.8 | 1 | 1.8 | - | 3 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Faro | 37.7 | 4 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|40.5 | 4 | 8.3 | - | 6.3 | - | 2.8 | - | 8 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Guarda | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|48.5 | 2 | 34.7 | 2 | 9.6 | - | 2.2 | - | 1.2 | - | 4 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Leiria | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|50.8 | 6 | 29.5 | 3 | 9.8 | 1 | 4.1 | - | 2.2 | - | 10 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Lisbon | 35.7 | 18 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|38.7 | 20 | 8.5 | 4 | 8.8 | 4 | 4.7 | 2 | 48 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Madeira | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|53.5 | 4 | 25.8 | 1 | 12.1 | - | 2.5 | - | 3.1 | - | 5 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Portalegre | 30.6 | 1 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|45.2 | 2 | 6.4 | - | 12.4 | - | 1.6 | - | 3 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Porto | 40.0 | 16 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|41.2 | 17 | 8.4 | 3 | 4.6 | 1 | 2.7 | 1 | 38 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Santarém | 38.1 | 4 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|38.4 | 4 | 8.4 | 1 | 8.6 | 1 | 2.9 | - | 10 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Setúbal | 24.7 | 5 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|39.3 | 7 | 6.9 | 1 | 20.5 | 4 | 4.6 | - | 17 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Viana do Castelo | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|45.5 | 3 | 35.3 | 3 | 10.3 | - | 3.5 | - | 1.8 | - | 6 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Vila Real | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|54.1 | 3 | 31.9 | 2 | 8.1 | - | 2.0 | - | 0.9 | - | 5 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Viseu | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|52.1 | 5 | 31.1 | 3 | 10.6 | 1 | 1.5 | - | 1.4 | - | 9 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Europe | 36.9 | 1 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|42.1 | 1 | 5.0 | - | 4.8 | - | 1.1 | - | 2 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Outside Europe | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|66.3 | 2 | 21.5 | - | 3.4 | - | 0.9 | - | 0.4 | - | 2 |- |- class="unsortable" style="background:#E9E9E9" | style="text-align:left;" | Total | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|40.2 | 105 | 37.8 | 96 | 8.7 | 14 | 6.9 | 12 | 2.7 | 3 | 230 |- | colspan=12 style="text-align:left;" | Source: Comissão Nacional de Eleições |} Maps Aftermath thumb|Leaders during the Azores Summit in 2003 After the election, PSD and CDS–PP formed a coalition government, the first since the Democratic Alliance (AD) in the early 1980s."2002: O regresso da coligação de Direita ao poder", SIC Notícias, 1 October 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2023. This government was marked by the fragile fiscal and economic situation of the country, with Durão Barroso accusing the PS of leaving the country "in loincloth","Durão Barroso diz que socialistas "deixaram Portugal de tanga"", Público, 17 April 2002. Retrieved 4 August 2026 2023. and the 2003 Casa Pia child sexual abuse scandal. The Moderna University corruption case, from 1999 and that ended a coalition project between PSD and CDS–PP, in which minister Paulo Portas was allegedly involved, also marked the term.2003-04-25 Facturas associam Paulo Portas ao caso Moderna https://www.publico.pt/2003/04/25/politica/noticia/facturas-associam-paulo-portas-ao-caso-moderna-852719 2026-09-14 Público pt-PT During this government, Portugal became a major ally in the War in Iraq, even hosting a summit at Lajes Field, in the Azores, between the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain, which divided public opinion"Cimeira nas Lajes", RTP, 16 March 2003. Retrieved 8 December 2023. and also generated a disagreement with President Sampaio, since the head of state was against the invasion and the deployment of Portuguese military forces.2021-09-10 Os temas que marcaram a passagem de Jorge Sampaio por Belém https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/politica/os-temas-que-marcaram-a-passagem-de-jorge-sampaio-por-belem_es1060892 2026-08-25 RTP pt2021-09-10 Jorge Sampaio: O Presidente que se opunha à invasão do Iraque https://www.cmjornal.pt/politica/detalhe/jorge-sampaio-o-presidente-que-se-opunha-a-invasao-do-iraque 2026-09-29 Correio da Manhã pt In the 2004 European Parliament election in Portugal, the PSD/CDS–PP coalition Força Portugal suffered a big defeat by gathering just 33 percent of the votes, against the 44 percent of the Socialist Party. A few days later, José Manuel Durão Barroso announced he was resigning from the post of Prime Minister in order to become President of the European Commission."Durão Barroso apresenta demissão para ser presidente da Comissão Europeia ", RTP, 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2023. Despite pleas for a snap legislative election from Opposition parties, President Jorge Sampaio decided to nominate the new PSD leader, Pedro Santana Lopes, as prime minister."O dia em que Jorge Sampaio decepcionou os socialistas", Expresso, 15 January 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2023. Fall of the government Santana Lopes government was marked by deep disagreements and disputes within his own party, the Social Democratic Party, as well as mismanagement, which began to damage the government's actions."As "trapalhadas" de Santana em 2004 (que Rio apoiou e Marcelo arrasou) ", Observador, 21 December 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2022. Several cases followed: The so-called "Caso Marcelo", which broke in early October 2004 regarding former PSD leader Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's TVI punditry show, that ended abruptly with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa accusing TVI's management board of pressuring him not to be too critical of the then government in his television commentaries,"Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa abandona TVI após conversa com Paes do Amaral", Público, 6 October 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2026."Patrão da TVI queria Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa mais moderado nas críticas ", Público, 7 October 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2026. being widely considered as an attack on freedom of the press;"Saída de Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa da TVI", RTP Arquivos, 8 October 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2026. Problems related to teacher allocation at the start of the 2004 school year, which led to delays in opening schools, also damaged the government;"Educação - Problemas no concurso de professores marcaram a agenda", RTP, 15 December 2004. Retrieved 26 July 2026. And then there was the resignation of Youth and Sports Minister, Henrique Chaves, which was a close ally of Santana. This resignation precipitated the fall of the government, with Chaves accusing Santana of not being "loyal and truthful"."Henrique Chaves demite-se do Governo por falta de «lealdade e de verdade» de Santana", Jornal de Negócios, 28 November 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2022. Following this, and just five months after swearing in Santana Lopes as prime minister, President Jorge Sampaio gave a speech in which he accused the government of "contradictions and lack of coordination that contributed to its discredit","Jorge Sampaio anuncia a dissolução do Parlamento ", RTP, 8 September 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2022. using his power of dissolution of Parliament and called a snap election, so far the only time till date such a drastic action was used in Portuguese democracy by a president."Jorge Sampaio vai dissolver Assembleia da República ", Público, 30 November 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2022."A bomba atómica de Sampaio", Correio da Manhã, 10 September 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2022. Santana Lopes disagreed with the President's decision but respected it and announced his resignation."Santana Lopes pede demissão do XVI Governo Constitucional ", Público, 11 December 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2023. A new election was called, by the President, for 20 February 2005."Jorge Sampaio assinou hoje decreto de dissolução do Parlamento ", Público, 22 December 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2022. See also Politics of Portugal List of political parties in Portugal Elections in Portugal Further reading Freire André November 2004 Issue Voting in Portugal: The 2002 Legislative Elections West European Politics 27 5 779–800 10.1080/0140238042000283328 154614163 Notes Católica Results presented here exclude abstention (19.7%). With their inclusion results are: PS: 32.8%; PSD: 26.1%; CDS-PP: 6.5%; CDU: 5.4%; BE: 2.4%; Others/Invalid: 7.1%. CDU Portuguese Communist Party (10 MPs) and "The Greens" (2 MPs) ran in coalition. BE Left Bloc / People's Democratic Union joint electoral list only in Madeira. PSN The National Solidarity Party (PSN) ran a list in Vila Real district, but dropped out before election day and got just 7 votes. In the certified results, the votes are counted as invalid. Unitary Democratic Coalition The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and the Ecologist Party "The Greens" (PEV) contested the 1999 election in a coalition called Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) and won a combined 9% of the vote and elected 17 MPs to parliament. References External links Preliminary results of the 2002 election Comissão Nacional de Eleições Centro de Estudos do Pensamento Político Category:Legislative elections in Portugal Category:2002 elections in Portugal Category:March 2002 in Portugal