2015 Portuguese legislative election

Legislative election held in Portugal 2015 Portuguese legislative election Portugal parliamentary no 2011 Portuguese legislative election 2011 2019 Portuguese legislative election 2019 All 230 seats in the Assembly of the Republic 116 9,684,922 0.6% 5,408,092 (55.8%) 2.2 pp 4 October 2015 Opinion polling for the 2015 Portuguese legislative election Pedro Passos Coelho (9298463251)cropped.jpg 180 110 150 10 30 Pedro Passos Coelho PSD PàF 00aaaa 26 March 2010Pedro Passos Coelho LisbonVila Real 132 seats, 50.4%Election 2011 107 25 2,085,465 38.6% 11.8 pp 2022 - On the floor SZ9 5864 (52472414338) (cropped).jpg 130 110 150 0 15 António Costa Socialist Party (Portugal) 28 September 2014 Lisbon 74 seats, 28.0% 86 12 1,747,730 32.3% 4.3 pp COMICIO EM SETUBAL (Esquerda.Net 49102412867).jpg 325 110 150 15 40 Catarina Martins Left Bloc (Portugal) 30 November 2014 Porto 8 seats, 5.2% 19 11 550,945 10.2% 5.0 pp Jerónimo de Sousa (1 de Maio de 2015) (cropped).jpg 138 110 150 0 10 FF0000 Jerónimo de Sousa Portuguese Communist Party Unitary Democratic Coalition 27 November 2004 Lisbon 16 seats, 7.9% 17 1 445,901 8.3% 0.4 pp André Silva cropped.png 130 110 150 0 10 André Silva People-Animals-Nature 26 October 2014 Lisbon 0 seats, 1.0% 1 1 75,170 1.4% 0.4 pp 230px Vote winner strength by district 272px Results by constituency 230px PSD ran alone in the Azores and Madeira. Prime Minister Prime Minister after election Pedro Passos Coelho Social Democratic Party (Portugal) Pedro Passos CoelhoPSD(20 October - 26 November 2015)Passos CoelhoAntónio Costa Socialist Party (Portugal) outgoing members elected members The 2015 Portuguese legislative election was held on 4 October.http://observador.pt/2015/07/22/cavaco-silva-marca-eleicoes-legislativas-para-dia-4-de-outubro/ Cavaco Silva marca eleições legislativas para dia 4 de outubro pt 22 July 2015 22 July 2015 All 230 seats of the Assembly of the Republic were in contention. The right-wing coalition Portugal Ahead (PàF), composed of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the People's Party (CDS–PP), won a plurality of the vote with 38.6 percent, securing almost 47 percent of the seats in the Assembly. Compared with 2011, this was a loss of 12 points in support (although the PSD and the CDS–PP did not contest the 2011 election in coalition). On the electoral map, the coalition won every district in the North and in the Centre except Castelo Branco. They also won in the big districts of Lisbon and Porto. The map showed a clear north–south divide, with the conservative coalition winning almost everything in the North and Centre and the Socialist Party (PS) winning in the South. The PS was the second most voted political force, winning 32.3 percent of the vote and 37 percent of the seats in the Parliament. The PS received a higher share of the vote than in 2011, but did not increase its share by as much of a margin as had been predicted by the opinion polls prior to September 2015, with António Costa, former mayor of Lisbon, even failing to win the city of Lisbon. Although the PS and the other left-wing parties did win a clear overall majority in Parliament, in his concession speech Costa said that he would not support "a negative coalition" with the Left Bloc and Communist Party and that he would rather talk and negotiate with the PSD/CDS–PP coalition.https://www.dn.pt/politica/interior/antonio-costa-recusa-coligacao-negativa-e-so-viabiliza-politicas-do-ps-4815963.html António Costa recusa coligação negativa e só viabiliza políticas do PS pt 4 October 2015 5 October 2015 (a position he would later retract.) The Left Bloc (BE), despite predictions by opinion polls, achieved its best result in history, with more than 10 percent of the vote, becoming the third largest parliamentary group. The CDU's (Communists and Greens) share of the vote increased slightly compared to 2011, receiving 8 percent of the vote and one additional MP. The People-Animals-Nature (PAN) also elected one member of parliament becoming the first time since 1999 in which a new party entered the Assembly.https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/politica/eleicoes/legislativas/detalhe/pan_elege_um_deputado_livre_e_pdr_falham.html PAN elege um deputado. Livre e PDR falham pt 5 October 2015 26 November 2015 Voter turnout reached a new low, with just 55.8 percent of the electorate casting their ballot on election day.https://expresso.sapo.pt/politica/2015-10-15-As-cores-finais-do-pais-que-votou As cores finais do país que votou pt 15 October 2015 26 November 2015 Passos Coelho was asked, by the President of the Republic, to form a minority government that took the oath of office on October 30, 2015. The government fell after the approval of a motion to bring it down on 10 November. On 24 November, António Costa was appointed by the President of the Republic as Prime Minister-designate. Costa was sworn in on 26 November 2015. Background Economic Adjustment Programme for Portugal After the PSD/CDS–PP government was sworn in, a series of austerity policies, in the wake of the financial bailout agreement, were implemented, creating several backlash and protests. 27 November 2011 https://www.publico.pt/2011/11/27/jornal/contra-a-austeridade-protestos-na-cidade-23444754 Contra a austeridade, protestos na cidade pt Público Lisbon 21 October 2022 In September 2012, further austerity policies led to one of the biggest demonstrations against a government in Portuguese democracy, with more than 1 million people going out to the streets across the country. 15 September 2012 https://www.dinheirovivo.pt/economia/manifestacao-de-15-de-setembro-tera-sido-a-maior-desde-o-25-de-abril-12616521.html Manifestação de 15 de setembro terá sido a maior desde o 25 de abril pt Dinheiro Vivo Lisbon 21 October 2022 Because of this massive protest, the coalition government was deeply shaken and was forced to drop several policies. 23 September 2012 https://www.publico.pt/2012/09/23/jornal/portugal-apos-o-recuo-do-governo-na-tsu-25292529 Portugal após o recuo do Governo na TSU pt Público Lisbon 21 October 2022 2011 Portuguese legislative election#2013 political crisis By the summer of 2013, another crisis in the coalition government emerged. The Finance Minister Vítor Gaspar resigned in late June 2013, 1 July 2013 https://www.publico.pt/2013/07/01/politica/noticia/vitor-gaspar-de-saida-do-governo-1598899 Vítor Gaspar sai e queixa-se de falta de coesão do Governo pt Público Lisbon 21 October 2022 and Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho choose treasury Secretary, Maria Luís Albuquerque, to be the next Finance minister. 1 July 2013 https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/politica/maria-luis-albuquerque-e-a-nova-ministra-das-financas_v663317 Maria Luís Albuquerque é a nova ministra das Finanças pt RTP Lisbon 21 October 2022 However, CDS – People's Party (CDS-PP) leader, Paulo Portas, criticized the choice of the new minister and announced his "irrevocable" resignation from the government. 2 July 2013 https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/politica/paulo-portas-afirma-que-a-decisao-de-se-demitir-e-irrevogavel_v663644 Paulo Portas afirma que a decisão de se demitir é irrevogável pt RTP Lisbon 21 October 2022 Prime Minister Passos Coelho didn't accept Portas' resignation and refused also to leave office, opting, instead, to negotiate a new government organization with Portas. 3 July 2013 https://www.publico.pt/2013/07/02/politica/noticia/passos-nao-se-demite-nem-aceita-emissao-de-portas-1599055 Passos não se demite, nem aceitou ainda a demissão de Portas pt Público Lisbon 21 October 2022 A deal was reached a few days later, in which Portas would become deputy prime minister and with more powers on economic affairs. 6 July 2013 https://www.publico.pt/2013/07/06/politica/noticia/portas-e-viceprimeiroministro-com-coordenacao-economica-troika-e-reforma-do-estado-1599494 Portas é vice-primeiro-ministro com coordenação económica, troika e reforma do Estado pt Público Lisbon 21 October 2022 But, President Aníbal Cavaco Silva refused to accept the deal and forced negotiations between PSD and PS, in which a deal between parties to maintain economic stability and a snap election in 2014 were on the table. 12 July 2013 https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/politica/detalhe/cavaco_quer_negociacoes_entre_partidos_concluidas_num_prazo_muito_curto Cavaco quer conclusão das negociações entre partidos "num prazo muito curto" (act) pt Jornal de Negócios Lisbon 21 October 2022 Despite presidential pressure, talks between PSD and PS fell apart and Cavaco Silva was forced to accept the PSD/CDS–PP original deal. 23 July 2013 https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/politica/cavaco-aceita-governo-remodelado-com-portas-em-vice-primeiro-ministro_n668814 Cavaco aceita Governo remodelado com Portas em vice-primeiro-ministro pt RTP Lisbon 21 October 2022 The Social Democrats (PSD) suffered a considerable setback in the 2013 local elections by gathering just 31 percent of the votes and 106 mayors, a drop of 33 cities, while the Socialists (PS) obtained their best result till that date, 150 mayors, a gain of 18, with almost 37 percent of the votes. 29 September 2013 https://www.jn.pt/micro-sites/eleicoes-autarquicas-2013/noticias/psd/passos-coelho-assume-derrota-3448985.html Passos Coelho assume derrota pt Jornal de Notícias Lisbon 21 October 2022 In May 2014, Portugal was successful in exiting the economic bailout that was negotiated in 2011, 4 May 2014 https://www.dn.pt/politica/pm-anuncia-hoje-modelo-de-saida-do-resgate-financeiro-3843259.html PM anuncia hoje modelo de saída do resgate financeiro pt Diário de Notícias Lisbon 21 October 2022 with the country having emerged from recession by mid-2013.14 November 2013 https://sicnoticias.pt/economia/2013-11-14-Portugal-saiu-da-recessao-tecnica-ao-fim-de-dois-anos-e-meio Portugal saiu da recessão técnica ao fim de dois anos e meio pt SIC Notícias Lisbon 15 August 2026 The collapse and subsequent resolution of BES bank during the summer of 2014 also had an impact on the government.15 October 2024 https://rr.pt/especial/pais/2024/10/15/cronologia-do-caso-bes-do-colapso-do-banco-ao-julgamento/397355/ Cronologia do caso BES. Do colapso do banco ao julgamento pt Renascença Lisbon 26 July 202620 September 2015 https://www.publico.pt/2015/09/20/politica/noticia/passos-assume-que-nao-quis-salvar-o-bes-e-que-lutou-contra-privilegios-1708464 Passos assume que não quis salvar o BES e que lutou contra privilégios pt Público Lisbon 26 July 2026 Furthermore, in the autumn of 2014, suspicions of tax evasion fell upon Prime Minister Passos Coelho during his time working in the private sector.26 September 2014 https://observador.pt/explicadores/o-essencial-sobre-o-pesadelo-tecnoforma-de-passos-coelho/ Tudo o que já sabemos sobre o pesadelo Tecnoforma de Passos Coelho pt Observador Lisbon 27 July 2026 These suspicions would be dismissed a few years later.13 September 2017 https://www.publico.pt/2017/09/13/politica/noticia/ministerio-publico-arquiva-processo-que-envolvia-a-tecnoforma-1785342 Caso Tecnoforma arquivado. Relvas espera pedidos de desculpa pt Público Lisbon 27 July 2026 Leadership changes and challenges Socialist Party July 2011 Portuguese Socialist Party leadership election After José Sócrates resignation from the party's leadership, due to the poor result of the Socialists in the 2011 election,"Sócrates demite-se de líder do PS e recusa novo cargo político", Público, 5 June 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2021. a snap leadership election was called to elect a new leader for 22 and 23 July 2011."Diretas no PS marcadas para 22 e 23 de julho ", RTP, 8 July 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2021. There were two candidates on the ballot: António José Seguro and Francisco Assis."António José Seguro votou "tranquilo" e "muito confiante" nos resultados das directas do PS ", SIC Notícias, 22 July 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2021. Seguro was elected by a landslide and the results were the following: Ballot: 22 and 23 July 2011 |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" ! align="center" colspan=2 style="width: 60px"|Candidate ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|Votes ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|% |- | style="background:#f6f;"| | align=left | António José Seguro | align=right | 23,903 | align=right | 67.3 |- | style="background:#f6f;"| | align=left | Francisco Assis | align=right | 11,257 | align=right | 31.7 |- | colspan=2 align=left | Blank/Invalid ballots | align=right | 367 | align=right | 1.0 |- |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Turnout | align=right | 35,527 | align=right | |- | colspan="4" align=left|Source: Official results |}2013 Portuguese Socialist Party leadership election Two years later, in April 2013, Seguro was challenged by party member Aires Pedro to the leadership. There were 43,034 party members registered to cast a ballot, and Seguro was easily re-elected with nearly 97% of the votes, against the just 3% for Pedro."Seguro reeleito líder do PS", Expresso, 14 April 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2026. Ballot: 13 April 2013 |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" ! align="center" colspan=2 style="width: 60px"|Candidate ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|Votes ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|% |- | style="background:#f6f;" | | align=left | António José Seguro | align=right | 24,843 | align=right | 93.0 |- | style="background:#f6f;" | | align=left | Aires Pedro | align=right | 892 | align=right | 3.3 |- | colspan=2 align=left | Blank/Invalid ballots | align=right | 990 | align=right | 3.7 |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Turnout | align=right | 26,725 | align=right | 62.10 |- | colspan="4" align=left|Source: Diretas 2013Secretário-Geral reeleito com 96% dos votos http://www.ps.pt/noticias/noticias/secretario-geral-reeleito-com-96-dos-votos.html bot: unknown https://web.archive.org/web/20130417175933/http://www.ps.pt/noticias/noticias/secretario-geral-reeleito-com-96-dos-votos.html 17 April 2013 9 August 2024 Socialist Party |} 2014 Portuguese Socialist Party prime ministerial primary thumb|Seguro reacting to the 2014 European Parliament election results Seguro's leadership was constantly marred by internal infighting, coming mainly from then Mayor of Lisbon António Costa, which despite forging a deal with Seguro to not challenge him for the leadership in early 2013,Costa faz acordo com Seguro sobre estratégia do PS https://www.publico.pt/2013/02/10/politica/noticia/costa-faz-acordo-com-seguro-sobre-estrategia-do-ps-1584029 10 February 2013 3 March 2026 Público Costa never really ended speculations about it.António Costa não exclui liderar o PS https://expresso.pt/politica/antonio-costa-nao-exclui-liderar-o-ps=f834206 5 October 2013 3 March 2026 Expresso Following the party's disappointing result in the 2014 European Parliament elections, in which the PS got just 31 percent of the votes against the 28 percent of the PSD/CDS coalition, António Costa called the results "tiny" (poucochinho), and challenged António José Seguro for the leadership."Costa diz que não basta ganhar por poucochinho" https://web.archive.org/web/20240804143511/https://www.dn.pt/politica/costa-diz-que-nao-basta-ganhar-por-poucochinho-4023552.html/ 2024-08-04 , Diário de Notícias, 12 July 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2022. Seguro rejected a leadership ballot, but called an open primary, for 28 September 2014, on who should be the party's candidate for prime minister in the 2015 election.Seguro rejeita congresso e convoca primárias para primeiro ministro https://www.publico.pt/2014/05/31/politica/noticia/seguro-nao-convoca-congresso-e-convoca-primarias-para-primeiro-ministro-1638192 31 May 2014 3 March 2026 Público It was the first open primary in the history of the party, and of Portugal. In end, only two candidates ran: António José Seguro, General Secretary of the party at the time of the primary, and António Costa, mayor of Lisbon. Nearly 250,000 people registered to cast a ballot in the primary.Primárias do PS próximas dos 250 mil potenciais participantes https://www.publico.pt/2014/09/15/politica/noticia/primarias-proximas-dos-250-mil-potenciais-participantes-1669780 15 September 2014 3 March 2026 Público António Costa won the primary by a landslide with 67.9 percent of the vote against the 31.7 percent of Antonio José Seguro, resulting in Seguro conceding defeat and resigning as General Secretary of the party. Thereafter, Costa was elected as the new Socialist General Secretary on 22 November 2014."António Costa eleito secretário-geral do PS com 96% dos votos", Jornal de Negócios, 23 November 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014. The results were the following: Ballot: 28 September 2014 |- 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 | António Costa | align=right | 120,188 | align=right | 67.8 |- |bgcolor=Socialist Party (Portugal)| | align=left | António José Seguro | align=right | 55,928 | align=right | 31.5 |- | colspan=2 align=left | Blank/Invalid ballots | align=right | 1,234 | align=right | 0.7 |- |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Turnout | align=right | 177,350 | align=right | 70.71 |- | colspan="4" align=left|Source: Official Results |} The start of António Costa's term as PS leader was, however, marred by the arrest of former Socialist Prime Minister José Sócrates on 21 November 2014, due to an inquiry which accused the former prime minister of crimes of tax fraud, money laundering and corruption."Sócrates detido no aeroporto com base em "comunicação bancária"", Público, 22 November 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2024. Left Bloc One year after the disappointing results of the party in the 2011 elections, the then Left Bloc leader, Francisco Louçã, decided to leave the leadership"Francisco Louçã abandona liderança do Bloco de Esquerda", Jornal de Negócios, 18 August 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2021. and a party convention was held to elect a new leader. In November 2012, the party elected a dual leadership headed by João Semedo and Catarina Martins."João Semedo e Catarina Martins eleitos líderes do Bloco", Público, 11 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2021. Ballot: 30 November 2012 |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" ! align="center" colspan=2 style="width: 60px"|Candidate ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|Votes ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|% |- |bgcolor=Left Bloc (Portugal)| | align=left | João SemedoCatarina Martins | align=right | 359 | align=right | 76.5 |- |bgcolor=Left Bloc (Portugal)| | align=left | João Madeira | align=right | 110 | align=right | 23.5 |- |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Turnout | align=right | 469 | align=right | |- | colspan="4" align=left|Source: Results |}However, bad polling and election results, specially the 2014 European elections results, put pressure in the party's leadership,"BE: Rosas critica ‘rotura sem princípio’, Fazenda recusa ‘anátema’ de divisionista", Sol, 22 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2021. and a new party convention, in 2014, showed a very divided party as the dual leadership of Semedo and Martins was reelected by a very slim margin. The results were the following: Ballot: 23 November 2014 |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" ! align="center" colspan=2 style="width: 60px"|Candidate ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|Votes ! align="center" style="width: 50px"|% |- |bgcolor=Left Bloc (Portugal)| | align=left | João SemedoCatarina Martins | align=right | 266 | align=right | 50.8 |- |bgcolor=Left Bloc (Portugal)| | align=left | Pedro Filipe Soares | align=right | 258 | align=right | 49.2 |- |- style="background-color:#E9E9E9" | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | Turnout | align=right | 524 | align=right | |- | colspan="4" align=left|Source: Results |} Just 7 days after the very close result in the party's convention, on 30 November 2014, João Semedo resigned as party coordinator and Catarina Martins became to sole party coordinator."João Semedo deixa liderança do Bloco de Esquerda e Catarina Martins passa a porta-voz", Jornal de Notícias, 30 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2021. Date thumb|Official logo of the election. According to the Portuguese Constitution, an election must be called between 14 September and 14 October of the year that the legislature ends. The election is called by the President of Portugal but is not called at the request of the prime minister; however, the president must listen all the parties represented in Parliament and the election day must be announced at least 60 days before the election.http://app.parlamento.pt/site_antigo/ingles/cons_leg/Constitution_VII_revisao_definitive.pdf Archived copy 2015-10-07 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141022091934/http://app.parlamento.pt/site_antigo/ingles/cons_leg/Constitution_VII_revisao_definitive.pdf 2014-10-22 If an election is called in the middle of the legislature (Dissolution of Parliament) it must be held at least in 55 days. Election day is the same in all multi-seats constituencies, and should fall on a Sunday or national holiday. The next legislative election must, therefore, took place no later than 11 October 2015.Electoral law to the Assembly of the Republic After meeting with all of the parties represented in parliament on 21 July 2015, the President Aníbal Cavaco Silva called the election for 4 October. Electoral system 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 2020-05-30 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 2011 elections, the MPs distributed by districts were the following:http://www.cne.pt/sites/default/files/dl/ar-2015_mapa_deputados_dr.pdf "Mapa Oficial n.º 2-A/2015" CNE - Comissão Nacional de Eleições - Diário da República, 1.ª série—N.º 154—10 de agosto de 2015 3 January 2020 District Number of MPs Map Lisbon 47 Portuguese legislative election - Blank map.svg 220 0.64 0.21 180 140% 19 0.62 0.09 180 140% 6 0.64 0.33 180 140% 39 0.85 0.23 180 140% 5 0.98 0.22 190 140% 3 0.58 0.50 180 140% 16 0.77 0.50 180 140% 9 0.97 0.50 180 140% 4 0.67 0.68 180 140% 9 0.89 0.77 180 140% 4 0.48 0.85 180 140% 10 0.63 0.97 180 140% 9 0.25 0.652 300 140% 47 0.85 0.999 180 140% 2 0.48 0.737 300 140% 3 0.29 0.732 300 140% 18 0.48 0.887 300 140% 3 0.41 0.870 350 140% 9 0.03 0.60 350 140% 6 0.03 0.75 350 140% 5 0.11 0.85 350 140% 2 0.07 0.89 350 140% 2 Porto 39 Braga 19 Setúbalgreen (+1) 18 Aveiro 16 Leiria 10 Coimbra, Faro, Viseu and Santarémred (–1) 9 Madeira and Viana do Castelo 6 Azores and Vila Real 5 Castelo Branco and Guarda 4 Beja, Bragança, Évora 3 Portalegre, Europe and Outside Europe 2 Parties Parliamentary factions The table below lists the parties represented in the Assembly of the Republic during the 12th legislature (2011–2015): Name Ideology Political position Leader 2011 result % Seats PPD/PSD Social Democratic PartyPartido Social DemocrataConservatismClassical liberalism Centre-right Pedro Passos Coelho 38.7% 108 230 Social Democratic Party (Portugal) PS Socialist PartyPartido Socialista Social democracyProgressivism Centre-left António Costa 28.1% 74 230 Socialist Party (Portugal) CDS–PP CDS – People's PartyCentro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular Christian democracyConservatism Centre-rightto right-wing Paulo Portas 11.7% 24 230 CDS – People's Party PCP Portuguese Communist PartyPartido Comunista Português CommunismMarxism–Leninism Far-left Jerónimo de Sousa7.9%Unitary Democratic Coalition 14 230 #FF0000 PEV Ecologist Party "The Greens"Partido Ecologista "Os Verdes" Eco-socialismGreen politicsLeft-wing Heloísa Apolónia 2 230 Ecologist Party "The Greens" BE Left BlocBloco de Esquerda Democratic socialismAnti-capitalism Left-wing Catarina Martins 5.2% 8 230 Left Bloc (Portugal) Contesting parties For the election, PSD and CDS–PP ran in a joint coalition, announced in April 2015,25 April 2015 https://observador.pt/2015/04/25/passos-coelho-e-paulo-portas-anunciam-coligacao-as-20-horas/ Passos Coelho e Paulo Portas anunciam coligação às 20 horas pt Observador Lisbon 26 July 2026 while another coalition, between the Portuguese Labour Party (PTP) and the Socialist Alternative Movement (MAS), was approved in July 2015.28 July 2015 https://observador.pt/2015/07/28/tribunal-constitucional-aprova-coligacao-agir-joana-amaral-dias/ Tribunal Constitucional aprova coligação Agir, de Joana Amaral Dias pt Observador Lisbon 27 July 2026 The parties and coalitions that contested seats to the Portuguese parliament, and their leaders, were: Political party Leader Political spectrumPolitical groups of the European Parliament Portugal Ahead (Portugal à Frente) • Social Democratic Party (PSD) • CDS – People's Party (CDS–PP) Pedro Passos Coelho Centre-right toRight-wing European People's Party Group (EPP) Socialist Party (PS) António Costa Centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) • Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) • Ecologist Party "The Greens" (PEV) Jerónimo de Sousa Left-wing European United Left–Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Left Bloc (BE) Catarina Martins Left-wing European United Left–Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Portuguese Workers' Communist Party (PCTP-MRPP) António Garcia Pereira Far-left - Earth Party (MPT) José Inácio Faria Centre-right Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group (ALDE/ADLE) People-Animals-Nature (PAN) André Silva Centre-left - National Renovator Party (PNR) José Pinto Coelho Far-right - We, the Citizens! (NC) Mendo Castro Henriques Centre to Centre-right http://www.publico.pt/politica/noticia/nos-cidadaos-novo-partido-em-formacao-1624559 Nós, Cidadãos! é o novo partido de centro-direita 20 February 2014 - LIVRE/Tempo de Avançar (L/TDA) Rui Tavares Centre-left to Left-wing - Democratic Republican Party (PDR) António Marinho e Pinto Centre Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group (ALDE/ADLE) ACT! (AGIR) • Portuguese Labour Party (PTP) • Socialist Alternative Movement (MAS) Joana Amaral Dias Centre-left to Far-left - People's Monarchist Party (PPM) Paulo Estevão Right-wing - Christian Democratic and Citizenship (CDC/PPV) Tânia Avillez Right-wing - United Party of Retirees and Pensioners (PURP) António Mateus Dias Big tent - Together for the People (JPP) Filipe Sousa Centre - Campaign period Issues The campaign was dominated by the country's economic situation, after fours years of strong austerity measures, being seen as a referendum to the government's policies and the recent economic recovery, with the country emerging from the bailout in May 2014.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34440667 Portugal centre-right wins re-election despite bailout pt BBC News 20 May 2026 5 October 2015 The Socialist Party's campaign was also marked by a controversy regarding its election posters, as the party used people's faces on their campaign posters without their consent or knowledge, and made up stories that did not match the reality of the people portrayed.https://www.publico.pt/2015/08/07/politica/noticia/historias-nos-cartazes-do-ps-nao-pertencem-as-pessoas-fotografadas-1704428 Histórias nos cartazes do PS não pertencem às pessoas fotografadas pt Público 20 May 2026 7 August 2015 Party slogans Party or alliance Original slogan English translation Refs PàF « Agora Portugal pode mais » "Now Portugal can do more" https://ephemerajpp.com/2015/09/26/eleicoes-legislativas-de-2015-paf/ ELEIÇÕES LEGISLATIVAS DE 2015 – PAF pt EPHEMERA 11 May 2020 PS « É tempo de confiança » "It's time for trust" https://ephemerajpp.com/2015/10/03/eleicoes-legislativas-de-2015-ps/ ELEIÇÕES LEGISLATIVAS DE 2015 – PS pt EPHEMERA 11 May 2020 CDU « Soluções para um Portugal com futuro » "Solutions for a Portugal with a future" http://cdu.pt/legislativas2015/ CDU Legislativas 2015 pt CDU 11 May 2020 BE « Faz a diferença. Gente de verdade » "Make a difference. Real people" https://www.bloco.org/not%C3%ADcias/elei%C3%A7%C3%B5es/item/2970-legislativas2015-materiais-de-campanha-do-bloco.html #Legislativas2015: Materiais de campanha do Bloco pt BE 11 May 2020 PAN « A causa de todos » "The cause of all" https://ephemerajpp.com/2015/11/14/eleicoes-legislativas-de-2015-pan/ ELEIÇÕES LEGISLATIVAS DE 2015 – PAN pt EPHEMERA 11 May 2020 Candidates' debates After changes in the electoral law that obligated that all of the parties contesting an election should be represented in debates, the 3 main TV networks RTP, SIC and TVI proposed 3 debates between the two main candidates António Costa and Pedro Passos Coelho and also a series of head-to-head debates between various party leaders and one debate with all party leaders.http://observador.pt/2015/07/24/televisoes-propoem-frente-a-frentes-cruzados-com-todos-os-lideres-partidarios/ Televisões propõem frente a frentes cruzados com todos os líderes partidários pt 24 July 2015 24 July 2015 After meetings with the various parties, it was decided to hold two face-to-face debates between António Costa and Pedro Passos Coelho in which one would be broadcast on television and the other on radio. There was also going to be a debate between all the parties represented in Parliament but it was cancelled by the refusal of the PSD/CDS–PP coalition to have only the leader of the PSD on the debate and not also the leader of CDS–PP, Paulo Portas.https://expresso.sapo.pt/politica/2015-08-04-Debates-entre-9-e-22-de-setembro.-Portas-fica-de-fora Debates entre 9 e 22 de setembro. Portas fica de fora pt 4 August 2015 4 August 2015http://www.atelevisao.com/geral/generalistas-cancelam-debate-final-referente-as-legislativas/ Generalistas cancelam debate final referente às legislativas pt 23 August 2015 24 August 2015 Completed televised debates: Portuguese legislative election debates, 2015 N°. Date Broadcaster Moderator(s) Invitees Notes black #90ff90  Name  Invited Participant.   black #ff9090  N  Non-invitee.   50px|link=Portugal Ahead|PàF35px|link=Socialist Party (Portugal)|PS35px|link=Unitary Democratic Coalition|CDU25px|link=Left Bloc (Portugal)|BE 11 SeptemberRTP InformaçãoVítor GonçalvesNNJerónimoMartins 28 SeptemberSIC NotíciasAna LourençoPortasNNMartins 39 SeptemberRTP1SICTVIJudite de SousaClara de SousaJoão Adelino FariaP. CoelhoCostaNNBroadcast simultaneously on the 3 major TV networks. 411 SeptemberRTP InformaçãoVítor GonçalvesP. CoelhoNNMartins 514 September TVI24Pedro PintoNCostaNMartins 616 September SIC NotíciasAna LourençoNCostaJerónimoN 717 SeptemberAntena 1RRTSFGraça FrancoMaria Flor PedrosoPaulo BaldaiaP. CoelhoCostaNN Broadcast simultaneously on 3 national radio stations. 818 SeptemberTVI24José Alberto CarvalhoPortasNApolóniaN Candidate viewed as "most convincing" in each debate Debate Poll source50px|link=Portugal Ahead|PàF35px|link=Socialist Party (Portugal)|PS35px|link=Unitary Democratic Coalition|CDU25px|link=Left Bloc (Portugal)|BENotes 39 September RTP1/SIC/TVI Aximage 35.748.0 16.3% said it was a tie. Eurosondagem 31.840.0 28.2% said neither won or it was a tie. 717 September Antena 1/RR/TSF Marktest 42.529.5 14.2% said neither won and 13.8% were undecided. Opinion polling Opinion polling for the 2015 Portuguese legislative election Opinion polling for the 2015 Portuguese legislative election.chart Opinion polling for the 2015 Portuguese legislative election.tab Voter turnout The table below shows voter turnout throughout election day including voters from Overseas. Turnout Time 12:00 16:00 19:00 2011 2015 ± 2011 2015 ± 2011 2015 ± Total 20.01% 20.65% 0.64 pp 41.98% 44.38% 2.40 pp 58.03% 55.84% 2.19 pp Sourceshttps://www.eleicoes.mai.gov.pt/legislativas2015/afluencia.html Legislativas 2015 - Afluência pt eleicoes.mai.gov.pt/legislativas2015/index.html Ministry of Internal Administration 8 June 2023https://www.eleicoes.mai.gov.pt/legislativas2011/afluencia.html Legislativas 2011 - Afluência pt eleicoes.mai.gov.pt/legislativas2011/index.html Ministry of Internal Administration 8 June 2023 Results The outcome showed a relative victory for the right-wing coalition, but also a combined one for the left-wing parties (including the Socialist Party), resulting in a hung parliament (a single right-wing winner and a left-wing majority parliament).https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/04/portugal-election-ruling-centre-right-coalition-headed-for-victory Portugal election: centre-right coalition retains power but could lose majority The Guardian 5 October 2015 5 October 2015http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/loss-of-majority-in-portuguese-election-a-headache-for-coalition-1.2379894 Loss of majority in Portuguese election a headache for coalition The Irish Times 5 October 2015 5 October 2015 National summary detailed results by constituency Results breakdown of the 2015 Portuguese legislative election File:Assembly of the Republic election, 2015 results.svg Portugal Ahead 5 Portugal AheadListas PSD/CDS 1993504 –10.98 102 –22 Social Democratic PartyListas PSD 80841 –0.50 5 –2 CDS – People's PartyListas CDS-M 7496 –0.20 0 –1 Alliance AzoresListas CDS-A 3624 –0.13 0 0 2085465 –11.81 107 –25 Socialist Party 1747730 +4.27 86 +12 Left Bloc 550945 +4.98 19 +11 Unitary Democratic Coalition 445901 +0.35 17 +1 People Animals Nature 75170 +0.35 1 +1 Democratic Republican Party 61920 New 0 New Portuguese Workers' Communist Party 60045 –0.01 0 0 LIVRE/Time to move forward 39330 New 0 New National Renovator Party 27286 +0.19 0 0 Earth Party 22627 +0.01 0 0 We, the Citizens! 21382 New 0 New ACT! (Labour/Socialist Alternative) 20793 — 0 — People's Monarchist Party 14916 +0.02 0 0 Together for the People 14275 New 0 New United Party of Retirees and Pensioners 13899 New 0 New Citizenship and Christian Democracy 2685 –0.10 0 0 Portuguese Labour PartyListas PTP 1744 — 0 0 5408092 +0.35 112955 –0.57 89024 +0.23 0 9684922 –2.19 Diário da República Vote share #ddd 550px 500px PàF #00aaaa 36.86 PS Socialist Party (Portugal) 32.32 BE Left Bloc (Portugal) 10.19 CDU Portuguese Communist Party 8.25 PSD Social Democratic Party (Portugal) 1.49 PAN teal 1.39 PDR black 1.13 PCTP/MRPP Portuguese Workers' Communist Party 1.11 L/TDA LIVRE 0.73 PNR National Renovator Party 0.50 Others #777777 2.29 Blank/Invalid #DDDDDD 3.74 Parliamentary seats #ddd 550px 500px PàF #00aaaa 44.35 PS Socialist Party (Portugal) 37.39 BE Left Bloc (Portugal) 8.26 CDU Portuguese Communist Party 7.39 PSD Social Democratic Party (Portugal) 2.17 PAN teal 0.43 Distribution by constituency Results of the 2015 election of the Portuguese Assembly of the Republicby constituency yes |- class="unsortable" !rowspan=2|Constituency!!%!!S!!%!!S!!%!!S!!%!!S!!%!!S!!%!!S !rowspan=2|TotalS |- class="unsortable" style="text-align:center;" !colspan=2 | PàF !colspan=2 | PS !colspan=2 | BE !colspan=2 | CDU !colspan=2 | PSD !colspan=2 | PAN |- | style="text-align:left;" | Azores |colspan="2" bgcolor="#AAAAAA"| | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|40.3 | 3 | 7.8 | - | 2.5 | - | 36.1 | 2 | 0.9 | - | 5 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Aveiro | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|48.1 | 10 | 27.9 | 5 | 9.6 | 1 | 4.4 | - |colspan="2" rowspan="11" bgcolor="#AAAAAA"| | 1.0 | - | 16 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Beja | 20.1 | 1 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|37.3 | 1 | 8.2 | - | 25.0 | 1 | 0.8 | - | 3 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Braga | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|45.6 | 10 | 30.9 | 7 | 8.8 | 1 | 5.2 | 1 | 0.8 | - | 19 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Bragança | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|49.4 | 2 | 34.1 | 1 | 5.5 | - | 3.1 | - | 0.6 | - | 3 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Castelo Branco | 35.3 | 2 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|38.9 | 2 | 10.0 | - | 6.0 | - | 0.8 | - | 4 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Coimbra | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|37.2 | 4 | 35.3 | 4 | 9.9 | 1 | 7.0 | - | 1.0 | - | 9 |- | style="text-align:left;" | EvoraÉvora | 23.9 | 1 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|37.5 | 1 | 8.6 | - | 21.9 | 1 | 0.9 | - | 3 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Faro | 31.5 | 3 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|32.8 | 4 | 14.1 | 1 | 8.7 | 1 | 2.0 | - | 9 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Guarda | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|45.6 | 2 | 33.8 | 2 | 7.4 | - | 4.0 | - | 0.9 | - | 4 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Leiria | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|48.4 | 6 | 24.8 | 3 | 9.7 | 1 | 5.1 | - | 1.2 | - | 10 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Lisbon | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|34.7 | 18 | 33.5 | 18 | 10.9 | 5 | 9.8 | 5 | 2.0 | 1 | 47 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Madeira | colspan="2" bgcolor="#AAAAAA"| | 20.9 | 2 | 10.7 | 1 | 3.6 | - | style="background:Social Democratic Party (Portugal); color:white;"|37.8 | 3 | 1.8 | - | 6 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Portalegre | 27.6 | 1 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|42.4 | 1 | 9.2 | - | 12.2 | - | colspan="2" rowspan="9" bgcolor="#AAAAAA"| | 0.8 | - | 2 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Porto | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|39.6 | 17 | 32.7 | 14 | 11.1 | 5 | 6.8 | 3 | 1.6 | - | 39 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Santarém | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|35.8 | 4 | 32.9 | 3 | 10.8 | 1 | 9.6 | 1 | 1.2 | - | 9 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Setúbal | 22.6 | 5 | style="background:Socialist Party (Portugal); color:white;"|34.3 | 7 | 13.1 | 2 | 18.8 | 4 | 1.9 | - | 18 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Viana do Castelo | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|45.5 | 4 | 29.8 | 2 | 8.0 | - | 5.2 | - | 0.9 | - | 6 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Vila Real | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|51.0 | 3 | 33.1 | 2 | 5.2 | - | 3.0 | - | 0.6 | - | 5 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Viseu | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|51.1 | 6 | 29.7 | 3 | 6.7 | - | 3.5 | - | 0.7 | - | 9 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Europe | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|39.1 | 1 | 29.9 | 1 | 5.8 | - | 5.9 | - | 0.9 | - | 2 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Outside Europe |style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|48.5 |2 | 10.8 | - | 1.6 | - | 1.5 | - | 1.8 | - | 2 |- class="unsortable" style="background:#E9E9E9" | style="text-align:left;" | Total | style="background:#00aaaa; color:white;"|36.9 | 102 | 32.3 | 86 | 10.2 | 19 | 8.3 | 17 | 1.5 | 5 | 1.4 | 1 | 230 |- | colspan=14 style="text-align:left;" | Source: Legislativas 2015 |} Maps Aftermath Government formation Despite Costa's statements during election night, the Socialists, the Left Bloc, the Communists and the Greens started negotiations to form a left-wing majority coalition government.http://www.rtp.pt/noticias/eleicoes-legislativas-2015/esquerda-disponivel-para-formar-governo-com-ps_v864155 Esquerda disponível para formar Governo com PS (Left-wing parties available to form government with the Socialist Party) RTP 7 October 2015 pt 11 October 2015http://www.rtp.pt/noticias/eleicoes-legislativas-2015/ps-desafia-bloco-e-pcp-a-clarificarem-condicoes-para-formacao-de-governo_n864117 PS desafia Bloco e PCP a clarificarem condições para formação de Governo (Socialist Party challenges the Left Bloc and the Communist Party to clarify their conditions for the formation of the government) RTP 7 October 2015 11 October 2015 pt After the election, the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party, António Costa, rejected the proposal for a post-election coalition government with the right-wing alliance PàF,https://observador.pt/2015/10/07/ps-recusa-bloco-central-e-pede-respostas-a-esquerda-e-a-direita/ PS recusa bloco central e pede respostas à esquerda e à direita Observador 7 October 2015 15 August 2026 pt adding that the Socialist Party would reject in Parliament any government that would be led by Pedro Passos Coelho or supported by the right-wing coalition Portugal Ahead.https://pt.euronews.com/2015/10/23/portugal-costa-vai-rejeitar-programa-de-passos-e-reforca-negociaces-com-esquerda Portugal: Costa vai rejeitar programa de Passos e reforçar à esquerda Euronews 23 October 2015 15 August 2026 pt António Costa also guaranteed to President Aníbal Cavaco Silva that the Socialist Party had the conditions to form a government, supported in the parliament by the Left Bloc and the Communist Party.https://expresso.pt/politica/2015-10-20-Antonio-Costa-quer-ser-indigitado-ja-por-Cavaco António Costa quer ser indigitado já por Cavaco Expresso 20 October 2015 15 August 2026 After being consulted by the President, the Socialist Party, the Left Bloc, the Communist Party and the Greens expressed their intention to support a government of the Socialist Party, led by António Costa.https://www.publico.pt/2015/10/21/politica/noticia/o-acordo-da-esquerda-assenta-na-politica-de-rendimentos-1711835 O acordo da esquerda assenta na política de rendimentos Público 21 October 2015 15 August 2026 Among the most likely scenarios that were considered for a new government were:pt https://expresso.sapo.pt/politica/2015-10-14-Que-mais-nos-ira-acontecer--Cenarios-de-governo-e-ingovernabilidade Que mais nos irá acontecer? Cenários de governo e ingovernabilidade (What else will happen to us? Scenarios of government and ungovernability) Expresso 14 October 2015 19 October 2015pt https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/politica/eleicoes/legislativas/detalhe/novo_governo_os_cenarios_que_poderao_colocar_se_ao_presidente.html Novo governo: os cenários que poderão colocar-se ao Presidente (New government: The scenarios that the President may face) Jornal de Negócios 12 October 2015 19 October 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151016004208/http://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/politica/eleicoes/legislativas/detalhe/novo_governo_os_cenarios_que_poderao_colocar_se_ao_presidente.html 16 October 2015 A right-wing (PàF) minority government without the support of the Socialists (without majority support from the new parliament; rejected by Costa); A right-wing (PàF) minority government with the parliamentary support of the Socialists (rejected by Costa); A grand coalition government including the right-wing coalition (PàF) and the Socialists (rejected by Costa); A minority government of the Socialist Party with the parliamentary support of the Left Bloc and the Communists (most likely); A left-wing coalition government including the Socialists, the Left Bloc and the Communists; A caretaker government, until new elections are held, if the parties fail to reach an agreement. On 22 October, President Aníbal Cavaco Silva controversially appointed Pedro Passos Coelho to form a new government,https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34611274 Coelho invited to stay as Portugal PM 2015-10-22 BBC News 2017-12-15 en-GB which after taking the oath of office had 10 days to submit its programme in Parliament. But the PS, BE and CDU had already stated that they would call a motion of rejection to bring down the government.https://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/pais/2015-10-22-PS-prepara-mocao-de-rejeicao-ao-programa-da-coligacao-PSD-CDS-PP PS prepara moção de rejeição ao programa da coligação PSD/CDS-PP SIC Notícias 23 October 2015 pt 23 October 2015 On 23 October, the new Assembly of the Republic was opened, with Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, a Socialist, being elected as President of the Assembly with the support of the Socialists, the Communists, the Left Bloc and the Greens. He received 120 votes against 108 votes for the government's candidate.https://news.yahoo.com/portugal-parliament-elects-socialist-speaker-support-left-151402733.html Portugal parliament elects Socialist speaker with support of left 23 October 2015 Yahoo 2017-12-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20151029064156/http://news.yahoo.com/portugal-parliament-elects-socialist-speaker-support-left-151402733.html 2015-10-29 dead en-US The members of the second Passos Coelho government took office on 30 October,https://expresso.sapo.pt/politica/2015-10-30-Passos-ja-tomou-posse Passos já tomou posse Expresso 30 October 2015 9 November 2015 pthttps://expresso.sapo.pt/politica/2015-10-30-Cavaco-pede-ao-Governo-esforco-de-dialogo-com-outras-forcas-partidarias-- Cavaco pede ao Governo "esforço de diálogo" com outras forças partidárias Expresso 30 October 2015 9 November 2015 pt with the government's programme scheduled to be voted by Parliament on 10 November.https://expresso.sapo.pt/politica/2015-10-28-Programa-de-Governo-discutido-dias-9-e-10 Programa de Governo discutido dias 9 e 10 Expresso 28 October 2015 9 November 2015 pt Fall of the government and appointment of a new one Just before the parliamentary debate and vote on the government's programme, the Socialist Party reached an agreement with the three other left-wing parties: the Left Bloc, the Communists and the Greens. Those agreements were eventually approved by the national bodies of the Socialist Party on 8 November.http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/politica/acordo-fechado/antonio-costa-anuncia-que-acordo-a-esquerda-esta-fechado António Costa anuncia que acordo à esquerda está fechado TVI24 8 November 2015 9 November 2015 pthttps://expresso.sapo.pt/politica/2015-11-09-PS-mandata-Costa-para-formalizar-acordo-a-esquerda-e-rejeitar-Governo PS mandata Costa para formalizar acordo à esquerda e rejeitar Governo Expresso 9 November 2015 9 November 2015 pt On 10 November, the Portugal Ahead government programme was rejected by Parliament, after a motion of rejection was approved by 123 votes against and 107 in favor, bringing down the government itself:Angelique Chrisafis Portuguese MPs force minority government to quit over austerity The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/10/portuguese-mps-force-minority-government-to-quit-over-austerity 10 November 2015 4 December 2015 Motion of RejectionPedro Passos Coelho (PSD) Ballot → 10 November 2015 Required majority → 116 out of 230 Yes • PS (86) • BE (19) • PCP (15) • PEV (2) • PAN (1) 123 230 green 125px No • PSD (89) • CDS–PP (18) 107 230 red 125px Abstentions 0 230 gray 125px Absentees 0 230 black 125pxResult →Approved 15 Sources 10 November 2015 https://rr.sapo.pt/noticia/politica/2015/11/10/mocao-de-rejeicao-aprovada-cai-o-governo/39112/ Moção de rejeição aprovada. Cai o Governo pt Radio Renascença Lisbon 30 May 2022 Fourteen days later, on 24 November, President Aníbal Cavaco Silva appointed António Costa, Socialist Party leader, as Prime Minister Cavaco nomeia Costa como primeiro-ministro Público https://www.publico.pt/2015/11/24/politica/noticia/antonio-costa-indigitado-primeiroministro-por-cavaco-silva-1715392 24 November 2015 11 June 2025 and a new government was sworn in, on 26 November, as a Socialist Party minority government with the confidence and supply of the Left Bloc, the Communist Party and the Ecologist Party "The Greens". Às 16h02... António Costa tomou posse como primeiro-ministro Expresso https://expresso.pt/politica/2015-11-26-As-16h02.-Antonio-Costa-tomou-posse-como-primeiro-ministro 26 November 2015 20 December 2022 On 2 and 3 December 2015, Costa's government programme was debated in the Assembly of the Republic, with PSD/CDS–PP presenting a motion of rejection that was defeated, 3 December 2015 https://expresso.pt/politica/2015-12-03-Mocao-de-rejeicao-os-moderados-contra-o-processo-de-radicalizacao-em-curso Moção de rejeição: os “moderados” contra o “processo de radicalização em curso” pt Expresso Lisbon 4 October 2025 and Costa's minority government entered into full exercise of its functions: 3 December 2015 https://sicnoticias.pt/arquivo/legislativas-2015/2015-12-03-Passos-Coelho-acusa-Governo-de-Costa-de-ter-usurpado-o-poder Passos Coelho acusa Governo de Costa de ter usurpado o poder pt SIC Notícias Lisbon 4 October 2025 Motion of RejectionAntónio Costa (PS) Ballot → 3 December 2015 Required majority → 116 out of 230 No • PS (86) • BE (19) • PCP (15) • PEV (2) 122 230 red 125px Yes • PSD (89) • CDS–PP (18) 107 230 green 125px Abstentions • PAN (1) 1 230 gray 125px Absentees 0 230 black 125pxResult →Rejected 15 Sources 3 December 2015 https://www.publico.pt/2015/12/02/politica/noticia/ao-minuto-governo-apresenta-programa-psd-e-cds-unidos-contra-costa-1716237#6045 Dos BFF à votação, como foi o debate do programa do Governo ao minuto pt Público Lisbon 4 October 2025 See also Elections in Portugal List of political parties in Portugal Politics of Portugal Notes Pedro Passos Coelho As leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). The leader of the People's Party (CDS–PP) is the deputy prime minister Paulo Portas. Vila Real In the 2011 election, Pedro Passos Coelho was elected in the district of Vila Real. Election 2011 Sum of votes and seats of the PSD and the CDS–PP in the 2011 election. PSD: 38.7%, 108 seats; CDS–PP: 11.7%, 24 seats. Passos Coelho Following the election, Pedro Passos Coelho was first designated as Prime Minister by the President of the Republic with a PSD/CDS-PP minority government. He took the oath of office for his second term on October 30, 2015. On 10 November 2015, Coelho's government was defeated in a motion of no confidence vote, 123 against 107, prompting the fall of his government. The President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, then invited PS leader António Costa to form a minority government with the support of BE and CDU. Costa's minority government was sworn in on 26 November 2015. Unitary Democratic Coalition The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and the Ecologist Party "The Greens" (PEV) contested the 2011 election in a coalition called Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) and won a combined 7.9% of the vote and elected 16 MPs to parliament. Listas PSD/CDS PSD/CDS–PP electoral lists only in continental Portugal and overseas. Listas PSD Electoral list only in Madeira and Azores. Listas CDS-M Electoral list only in Madeira. Listas CDS-A CDS–PP/PPM electoral list only in Azores. Listas PTP Electoral list only in Madeira. References 30em External links Popstar Poll Tracker Marktest Opinion Poll Tracker Official results site, Portuguese Internal Administration Ministry Portuguese Electoral Commission ERC - Official publication of polls NSD: European Election Database - Portugal https://web.archive.org/web/20141220144604/http://www.nsd.uib.no/european_election_database/country/portugal/ 2014-12-20 publishes regional level election data; allows for comparisons of election results, 1991-2011 Category:Legislative elections in Portugal Category:Assembly of the Republic (Portugal) Category:2015 elections in Portugal Category:October 2015 in Portugal Category:October 2015 elections