The RTP/Universidade Católica poll left everyone on edge. And the ‘fear’ was transversal on both sides of the political barricade. The PSD/CDS coalition has oscillated between losing the absolute majority built in 2019 with the post-electoral agreement between centrists and social democrats, leaving one less deputy or achieving what Miguel Albuquerque asked for through ‘responsibility’ to demand from voters.
The scenario of losing the majority opened the door to a new PSD-M leadership. Albuquerque spent part of the campaign ensuring that he would not remain in government or lead his party if he did not win an “absolute majority.” The focus was, of course, on Pedro Calado, mayor of Funchal and former deputy of Albuquerque, whom Alberto João Jardim, as he told DN, considers “the future”.
The count was halfway through and the “seizure” continued. “With the CDS we are worth less,” said a regional PSD leader. “Funchal will decide, it will be done by vote,” he guaranteed. It was not about victory, but about the ‘absolute majority, the Chega effect’. And the growing doubts were shared by regional and national leaders.
In the PS the same “fear”. The party could retain between 9 and 12 deputies, down from the 19 elected in 2019, and return to the level of 1988 to 2000. A socialist leader did not hide his “dissatisfaction” because the party had “lost to the little ones” and had not “won” the PSD/CDS coalition – a hypothesis that did not even appear on the socialist horizon last week. And the leadership of Sérgio Gonçalves? The internal signals, as polls have shown in recent months, have been divided between those who defend continuity – “we cannot keep burning leaders every two years” – and those who, in few cases, believe the opposite.
At 9:30 PM a warning signal appeared in the PSD/CDS. The two parties in the coalition had exactly the same number of deputies already elected (17) compared to 2019.
The Secretary General of the Communists was the first of the leaders to speak, just after 9:45 p.m., guaranteeing that PSD/CDS would not have an “absolute majority”, that it was necessary to put an end to “promiscuity” . The ‘fear’ is growing.
At 10:02 p.m. it started to look like “there is no absolute majority”, that the “population gave a red card” to Miguel Albuquerque.
22.05. It is official. The PSD/CDS coalition loses its majority with one deputy. Heavy atmosphere at coalition headquarters. Albuquerque has yet to make good on his promise: announce he will not govern under these circumstances and resign from the party leadership. The combined left-wing opposition, with the exception of Chega (4) and IL (1), has no deputies to form a new majority [são 19]a Madeiran device.
22.19. Sérgio Gonçalves admits that he “has not achieved his objectives”, but emphasizes that his party is still “the only alternative”. And he asks Miguel Albuquerque, “For the first time in your life, are you going to keep your word and resign tonight?”
22.36. A surprise. When asked if she could be the missing member of the PSD/CDS, the elected PAN leader says that “all doors are open” but does not explain anything further.
23.07. Anyone who thought Albuquerque would keep its promise repeated dozens of times was disappointed. “We have won in 52 of the 54 parishes (…) it would be irresponsible not to recognize this victory” and announced “a government with a parliamentary majority” that excludes Chega. Neither PAN nor IL close the doors to understanding.
Source: DN
