Portuguese people ask for more social investment as Socialists retain power

Record ID: 1435514

  • Title: Portuguese people ask for more social investment as Socialists retain power
  • Date: 7th October 2019
  • Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (OCTOBER 7, 2019) (REUTERS) TRAM PASSING THROUGH VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CROSSING THE STREET AND WAITING FOR THE TRAM (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) LISBON RESIDENT, PAULO NEVES, SAYING: "The expectation is that there will be less inequality and more health and social balance, particularly around homelessness and housing." (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) LISBON RESIDENT, SOFIA SOBRAL, SAYING: "I think there was a large percentage of abstention and that shouldn't happen but people should get informed before voting" (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) LISBON RESIDENT, MARCELINA CASTELA, SAYING: "On one hand I think it would be great if there is a more cohesive and consistent union (between parties) but on the other I don't know if it will be good if it will create more discussions between them." MAN BUYING NEWSPAPER AT KIOSK
  • Embargoed: 21st October 2019 09:32
  • Keywords: Portugal elections Lisbon residents portuguese socialists portuguese national elections vote
  • Location: LISBON, PORTUGAL
  • City: LISBON, PORTUGAL
  • Country: Portugal
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001B03LHS7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Lisbon residents woke up on Monday (October 7) a bit cautious after Portugal's ruling Socialists won a parliamentary election on Sunday (October 6) but fell short of an outright majority, meaning Prime Minister Antonio Costa will need to negotiate a new deal with one or both of his far-left allies in the previous legislature.
    Morning commuters said there is uncertainty because of the lack of an absolute majority. "I think it would great if there is a more cohesive and consistent union (between parties)", a Lisbon resident said, although she admitted she was not sure about the discussions between them.
    With most of the votes counted, the Socialists led with 106 seats. That put them in first place, but with only four seats still not accounted for, they cannot reach the full majority of 116 seats in the 230-seat assembly.
    The Socialists substantially increased their score from their 86 lawmakers in 2015.
    The Correio da manha and Publico newspapers focused their front page headlines on what they consider the new crisis of the right parties after the Socialists result,
    Costa's minority government has received praise from Brussels and at home for combining fiscal discipline with measures to promote growth after recession and the austerity of Portugal's 2010-14 debt crisis.
    Post-election negotiations are not expected to be as messy as in neighbouring Spain, which still has no government more than five months after elections and is heading for a repeat poll in November.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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